SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — For the second time in a year, Seminole County leaders are looking for a new partner agency to help the homeless.
This comes after officials believe a case manager who was supposed to be working with landlords and homeless tenants was committing fraud.
With 84 beds available, the Rescue Outreach Mission is the county's designated homeless shelter, but county commissioners on Tuesday ended a contract with the mission, which helped get people out of the shelter and into homes.
"It was a surprise," said Andrew Powell of ROM. "I am always open for dialogue and communication."
A letter obtained by Channel 9 accuses a case manager of fraud after two clients and two landlord signatures were apparently forged on paperwork.
"That employee was suspended pending our internal investigation and she was subsequently let go," said Powell.
The mission has since become the second agency in a year to lose the county's prevention program contract.
Harvest Time International was dumped by the county in April because of repeated deficiencies in performance.
"We have some agencies that have proven they're better at case management than others," said County Chairwoman Brenda Carey.
But the mission has proven its ability to manage homeless cases and has partnered with another HUD program for three years, currently helping to house a dozen families, according to Channel 9's Karla Ray.
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