Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Acceptance of Funds and Execution of Agreements Related to Encampment Resolution Funding
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The Director of the Human Services Agency to accept funds on behalf of the County from the California State Department of Business in the amount of $14,134,200.12 to implement the Encampment Resolution Funding Program; and
B) The Director of the Human Services Agency, or designee, acting in consultation with the County Attorney’s office to enter into and execute the following agreements and any subsequent amendments with the following Homeless Service and Sanitation providers for the purpose of implementing the Encampment Resolution Funding Program for a combined total amount not to exceed $14,134,200.12; and
C) Waiving the competitive solicitation requirement for an agreement with WeHOPE for mobile shower, bathroom, and laundry hygiene services.
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BACKGROUND:
In 2023, the Collaborative Community Outcomes Division of the Human Services Agency (HSA), in partnership with the County Executive’s Office, spearheaded an application to the State of California under the Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) grant to secure funding to serve unhoused San Mateo County residents living in Critical Homeless Encampment Zones (CHEZ) identified through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and other partner organizations.
On April 18, 2024, the County was awarded $14,134,200.12 to implement the ERF program. A portion of this funding will be awarded in agreements with contractors to provide homeless and sanitation services.
San Mateo County proposes to serve 211 people living unsheltered in CHEZ that are comprised of 26 small, scattered sites along the corridors of U.S. Route 101, Interstate 280, Highway 1, and State Route 92 in the cities of Burlingame, Menlo Park, Half Moon Bay, San Bruno, San Mateo, and South San Francisco. People in the CHEZ will benefit from a unified service approach that recognizes their similarities but is nimble enough to offer individualized solutions.
In February of 2022, HSA issued a request for proposals (RFP) for homeless outreach services. LifeMoves, Pacifica Resource Center, and WeHOPE were selected to provide outreach and engagement, case planning, service coordination, and substance abuse/physical health appointments and connections.
In February of 2024, HSA released an RFP for Diversion and Coordinated Entry Services. Samaritan House was selected based on their experience, qualifications, local knowledge, and approach. They will implement a new approach to the Coordinated Entry System by providing field housing assessments and placements.
DISCUSSION:
HSA requests that this Board to authorize the Director of the Human Services Agency, or designee, acting in consultation with the County Attorney’s Office, to accept ERF funding for, and to enter into the following five agreements and any subsequent amendments:
A) Agreement with LifeMoves for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027, for approximately $1,400,000 for regional homeless outreach services;
B) Agreement with WeHOPE for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027, for approximately $350,000 for regional homeless outreach services;
C) Agreement with the Pacifica Resource Center for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027, for approximately $350,000 for regional homeless outreach services;
D) Agreement with Samaritan House for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027, for approximately $850,000 for diversion and coordinated entry system services; and
E) Agreement with WeHOPE for mobile hygiene services for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027, for approximately $130,000.
Integrating a comprehensive engagement strategy with specific housing opportunities, HSA expects at least 108 people-most chronically homeless-to move from CHEZ into permanent housing. Pathways include 70 new units prioritized for project participants and $1.7M in rapid rehousing for rental assistance, security deposits, move-in costs, and landlord incentives.
Multi-Disciplinary Teams composed of specialists in engagement, Coordinated Entry, housing navigation, substance use treatment, mental health, and medical care will provide field-based services and the first points of connection. Housing-focused case management will follow, supporting people in developing housing plans and encouraging interim options that allow people to stabilize, such as the County’s new Navigation Center.
Pursuant to the County of San Mateo’s Administrative Memorandum No. B-1, Section IV. Waivers of Competitive Process, Paragraph C. Non-Emergency - General Exemptions, Item 1, a competitive solicitation may be waived for services only available from a single source.
WeHOPE offers three hygiene services: mobile showers, bathrooms, and laundry facilities through a program called Dignity on Wheels, and they will provide hygiene and sanitation services on a scheduled basis. WeHOPE is currently the only known vendor that provides all three mobile services in San Mateo County and surrounding Counties and is uniquely able to serve the clients of San Mateo County.
HSA is requesting that the Board of Supervisors waive the RFP process for these hygiene services, as WeHOPE is the only identified provider in San Mateo County immediately capable to provide these services.
Additional ERF funding will be allocated to Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with department partners including the San Mateo County Department of Housing, which will assist with permanent housing development and placements. San Mateo County Health (Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and Public Policy, Health and Planning) will coordinate connections for substance abuse treatment options, mental health services, field physical health services, and connect residents to medical appointments and health insurance. HSA is the lead department and will enter into MOUs with these County department partners.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-2027 Targets |
|
Provide outreach, engagement, and basic needs to residents in the CHEZ. |
211 individuals |
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Provide Coordinated Entry assessments for residents in the CHEZ |
80% of total residents served in the CHEZ |
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Transition CHEZ residents into permanent Housing |
51% of the CHEZ individuals served will accept permanent housing |
|
Place CHEZ residents into interim housing |
50% of the CHEZ residents served will accept interim housing |
|
Resolve the number of CHEZ encampments |
70% of the CHEZ encampments will be resolved |
|
CHEZ residents will be offered behavioral health assessments |
80% of CHEZ residents will accept a behavioral health assessment |
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CHEZ residents diagnosed with mental illness or substance use disorder will be linked to behavioral health services. |
80% of diagnosed CHEZ residents will be linked to behavioral health services |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Encampment Resolution Funding grant from the California State Department of Business is unanticipated revenue in the amount of $14,134,200.12 for the term of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027. Of this amount, the County will enter into five agreements and any subsequent amendments for a total combined amount of $3,080,000. Budgetary appropriation for this agreement will be included in the FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget, and future agreements will be included in the Recommended Budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with these agreements and amendments.