Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Measure K: Agreement with Samaritan House for Diversion and Coordinated Entry System Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Samaritan House for Diversion and Coordinated Entry System services for the term of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027, for a total obligation amount not to exceed $4,032,093.
body
BACKGROUND:
The Human Services Agency (HSA) Center on Homelessness and its community partners closely collaborate on a broad spectrum of homeless services that work together to form the County’s homeless response system. The Coordinated Entry System (CES) is a key component of the strategic plan to end homelessness, as it is the process by which people experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness receive diversion services and are connected to shelter and other services.
The goal of CES is to effectively match people experiencing homelessness to available housing, shelter, and services. The first step of CES services is diversion, which addresses the needs of households who have just lost their housing or are at imminent risk of homelessness. Diversion aims to connect these households to safe housing alternatives immediately as opposed to entering shelter or unsheltered homelessness. CES coordinates access into shelter programs and housing interventions (such as permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing) for people experiencing homelessness.
On November 3, 2023, the County Executive’s Office (CEO) released the Measure K Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for interested applicants to submit proposals to provide services in San Mateo County that target three priority areas: housing and homelessness, emergency preparedness, and children, families, and seniors.
Samaritan House submitted a proposal to add additional Diversion specialist staff to expand CES capacity. Following an evaluation process conducted by the CEO, Samaritan House was recommended by the CEO to be awarded Measure K funding.
On February 12, 2024, HSA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a provider for Diversion and CES Services for households experiencing homelessness and individuals exiting institutions. Samaritan House was selected as the provider who best met the needs of the County.
On March 26, 2024, by Resolution No. 080240, this Board approved the FY 2024-25 Measure K Budget as presented by the CEO, which included awarding Measure K funding to Samaritan House for CES Services.
This agreement combines the proposals submitted by Samaritan House in response to both the Measure K NOFO and HSA’s RFP in order to have one contract that covers the CES services and the additional Diversion specialist capacity.
DISCUSSION:
Samaritan House will provide CES services to households experiencing homelessness and individuals exiting institutions. CES services include: providing initial screenings of households experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness who are referred by any of the Core Service Agencies or designated homeless outreach program or institution; providing diversion to households who are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness; completing a standardized assessment with all households who have received Diversion and who cannot identify an alternative housing resolution; placing households into available emergency shelter programs based on the results of the assessment and available space in each shelter; and coordinating with HSA’s matching and referral process for housing interventions.
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendments of the County’s fiscal obligation by a maximum of $25,000 (in the aggregate).
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-25 |
FY 2025-26 |
FY 2026-27 |
|
Percentage of households who receive diversion services on the same day as they are referred |
97% |
97% |
97% |
|
Percentage of households who are successfully diverted from homelessness |
Families - 20% Adults - 8% |
Families - 20% Adults - 8% |
Families - 20% Adults - 8% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
This agreement is for the term of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027, for a total obligation amount not to exceed $4,032,093. The total obligation amount is funded by Measure K sales and use tax. Budgetary appropriation for this agreement is included in the FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget and in all subsequent budgets that are affected by this agreement. There is no General Fund Net County Cost associated with this agreement.