Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Jei Africa, Director, Behavioral Health, and Recovery Services
Subject: Acceptance of Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Grant Program Funds from the California Department of Health Care Services and Advocates for Human Potential, Inc as the Administrative Entity
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The Chief of San Mateo County Health, or designee(s) to accept Department of Health Care Service funds in the amount of $10,246,862 for the term of June 23, 2023, through June 30, 2027, through the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Grant program administered by Department of Health Care Services and the administrative entity Advocates for Human Potential; and
B) The Chief of San Mateo County Health, or designee(s) to execute any agreements and amendments to agreements associated with the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Grant program.
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BACKGROUND:
The State of California, through the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), is administering the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) program. The BHBH program, which was signed into law in September 2022 under Assembly Bill (AB) 179 (Ting, Chapter 249, Statutes of 2022), provided $1,500,000,000 in funding through June 30, 2027, to address the immediate housing and treatment needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, who also have serious behavioral health conditions.
DHCS has engaged Advocates for Human Potential (AHP), to serve as the administrative entity supporting the implementation of the BHBH program, including reviewing BHBH program plans submitted by County Behavioral Health Agencies (BHAs). AHP is also responsible for engaging additional consultants to support the BHBH program implementation, as well as providing general grant training and technical assistance during the application process and throughout the life of the BHA’s BHBH program plan.
Noncompetitive predetermined maximum funding is to be awarded to BHAs in order to operate bridge housing settings to address the immediate and sustainable housing needs of people experiencing homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions, including serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorder (SUD). San Mateo County Health (County Health) applied for the noncompetitive predetermined maximum amount allocated for San Mateo County in April 2023 and received notification of the conditional award letter in June 2023.
DISCUSSION:
County Health will use these grant funds to operate bridge housing for clients experiencing homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions, including an SMI and/or SUD. County Health plans to use BHBH funding to expand the inventory of bridge housing, offering a range of choices for these County clients. This funding will support: 1) 15 transitional bridge co-housing units at the Canyon Vista Center currently under construction on the Cordilleras Health and Healing campus; 2) 20 scattered site apartments or hotel units secured through medium-term (up to 24 months) tenant-based rental assistance; 3) on-site assessment for eligibility and referral to BHBH resources provided to 30 individuals with SMI or SUD staying in the County’s adult homeless shelter system (both congregate and non-congregate); and 4) housing navigator/locator services and participant assistance funds to help BHBH participants identify and secure a pathway to permanent housing. Many BHBH participants will be prioritized for site-based MHSA-funded permanent supportive housing units currently planned for or under construction that will be available in the next two to three years.
This agreement is coming to this Board late because it was pending the final execution of the BHBH program contract, by the State and AHP; BHRS received the agreement in September 2023.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
It is anticipated that of the total number of clients who enter BHBH bridge housing, 85% will exit to permanent housing by the end of the bridge term and 100% of clients referred for BHBH services and housing will obtain housing navigator/locator support services.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2023-24 Estimated |
FY 2024-25 Projected |
|
Percentage of clients who enter BHBH bridge housing that exit to permanent housing |
85% 65 Clients |
85% 65 Clients |
|
Percentage of clients referred for BHBH services and housing that obtain housing navigator/locator support services |
100% 65 Clients |
100% 65 Clients |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the grant and agreements is from June 23, 2023 through June 30, 2027. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $10,246,862 for the four-year term. Funds in the amount of $2,138,899 are included in the BHRS FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget. Funds in the amount of $2,788,929 will be included in the BHRS FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget. DHCS is providing 100% of funding under this agreement. There is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement.