Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Iliana Rodriguez, Interim Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Agreement with Abode Services for Rapid Re-Housing
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) An agreement with Abode Services to provide Rapid re-housing services for the term of December 3, 2019 to June 30, 2021 and a total obligation amount of $760,000; and
B) The Director of the Human Services Agency or designee to execute amendments to said Agreement which modify the County’s maximum fiscal obligation by no more than $100,000 (in aggregate) during the same term for the purpose of expending Homeless Emergency Aid Program funds by June 30, 2021 as mandated by Health and Safety Code Sections 50214 and 50215.
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BACKGROUND:
In close collaboration with many County and community partners, the Human Services Agency (HSA) coordinates homeless services throughout the County of San Mateo. HSA also serves as the lead agency in the County for the Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) and is the administrative entity for Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP), which is a one-time block grant program funded by the State of California.
HSA was awarded a HEAP grant in the amount of $4,933,138.71 by the State of California’s Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) to address the emergency needs of homeless individuals and individuals at imminent risk of homelessness by providing services such as rapid re-housing (RRH), rental assistance or subsidies, capital improvement to shelter facilities, and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
On June 19, 2019, guided by the priorities of the County's strategic plan on homelessness and with opportunities to fund new or enhanced services with the awarded HEAP funding, HSA released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for homeless services, including rapid re-housing. Abode Services (Abode) was selected as the provider for these services as the agency that would best meet the needs of this population.
DISCUSSION:
HSA is requesting to enter into an agreement (Agreement) with Abode to provide rapid re-housing (RRH) services to help individuals and families exit homelessness quickly and stabilize in permanent housing. Under this Agreement Abode will provide 1) general RRH program serving the general homeless population, and 2) RRH program for households living in vehicles. Referrals for all services will be made through the County’s Coordinated Entry System to ensure that those with the highest housing needs are being served. Participants receiving services under either component will receive time-limited rental assistance, housing locator, and case management services.
General RRH services include intensive short- to medium-term financial assistance/rental subsidies, comprehensive housing identification services, and case management services. Abode will assist participants with stabilizing after being permanently housed by providing continuous case management services and rent subsidies that gradually reduce over time as the participant builds resources to take on the full cost of rent.
RRH for households living in vehicles will serve homeless individuals/families whose primary nighttime residence is in a vehicle, which includes recreational vehicles (RV) that are not connected to utilities, car, van, or another type of vehicle. This target population will receive intensive housing identification, financial assistance/rental subsidies, and case management services that are a part of general rapid re-housing programs. However, program services will be tailored specifically for this population and will include additional assistance that is designed to meet their specific needs.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
It is anticipated FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21, that 90% of households enrolled in the program will exit into permanent housing, and 85% of households served will not become homeless within 12 months of securing permanent housing.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
MEASURE |
FY 2019-20 Target |
FY 2020-21 Target |
|
Percent of households enrolled in the program who exit to permanent housing |
90% |
90% |
|
Percentage of households served who maintain housing and do not become homeless within 12 months of securing permanent housing. |
85% |
85% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Agreement term is December 3, 2019 to June 30, 2021 and the total obligation amount is $760,000. This Agreement is funded 100% by the state’s Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP). Budgetary appropriation for this Agreement is included in the FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget, and in the FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agreement.