Bell v. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ALAMEDA CTY.

Introduction

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors (County) appeals a judgment of the superior court granting a peremptory writ of mandate in favor of respondents general assistance recipients directing County to refrain from implementing any grant reductions for homeless general assistance recipients or those with shelter and utility costs less than $194 per month and to refrain from implementing County’s proposed and existing vendor pay plan.

County contends that the enactment of Welfare and Institutions Code section 17000.5 allows the challenged policies and practices and that the court abused its discretion in granting the writ and enjoining implementation of County’s program.

Facts and Procedural Background

“General assistance is a state-mandated program for the support of all poor or incapacitated county residents who lack other means of support.” (Poverty Resistance Center v. Hart (1989) 213 Cal.App.3d 295, 298 [ 261 Cal.Rptr. 545 ].)

On July 23, 1991, responding to the adoption by the Legislature of Welfare and Institutions Code section 17000.5 (eff. June 30, 1991), County adopted General Assistance Ordinance No. 0-91-42 (the Ordinance), changing County’s…