City Council Hearing: FY2027 MOHS; June 1, 2026

The City Council hearing held on June 1, 2026, by the CharmTV Citizens' Hub focused on the Mayor's Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) proposed FY2027 budget and related homelessness programs in Baltimore City. Director Ernest Dina Simmons presented the budget, highlighting a 13.3% increase to $98 million, with key allocations for administration, homeless prevention, temporary housing, and permanent supportive housing. Significant procurement-related discussions included the consolidation of shelter facility management contracts under a single provider, Core DC, and the acquisition of two permanent shelter facilities funded through an $8 million capital budget. The hearing also addressed the expansion of the Medicaid-funded ASUS case management program, the transition of outreach staff roles, and the challenges posed by anticipated changes in federal Continuum of Care (CoC) funding that may reduce support for permanent supportive housing. Council members raised concerns about outreach worker staffing levels, the discontinuation of housing navigators in libraries, and the need for a length-of-stay policy in shelters to improve bed turnover. Action items included commitments to provide updated data on unsheltered and transitional housing populations, and to share information on upcoming CoC funding opportunities and RFP timelines. The discussion underscored the importance of continued funding and innovative strategies to address homelessness amid shifting federal funding and increasing demand.