Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Amendment with Focus Strategies for Technical Assistance on Targeted Homelessness Prevention
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment with Focus Strategies for project management and technical assistance services by adding $408,000 in funds for a revised total obligation not to exceed $1,233,677 with no change to the agreement term.
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BACKGROUND:
The Human Services Agency (HSA), in close collaboration with the County Executive’s Office and community partners, coordinates the homeless crisis response system, which includes a broad spectrum of homeless services, including homelessness prevention, shelter services, and rapid rehousing programs. HSA is designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as the Continuum of Care (CoC) Lead Agency. As the CoC Lead Agency, HSA ensures compliance with HUD homeless system requirements, completes required federal reporting, coordinates the biennial One-Day Homeless Count, and prepares CoC funding applications.
In March 2024, HSA issued a request for proposals for providers of technical assistance and consultation services. Focus Strategies was selected as the provider that best met the needs of the County for CoC compliance, system planning, and reporting.
On June 25, 2024, by Resolution No. 080528, a contract was executed with Focus Strategies to provide technical assistance and consultation services in the amount of $745,677 for the term of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027.
On May 20, 2025, by Resolution No. 081175, the agreement was amended to add $80,000 in funds for a revised total amount not to exceed $825,677.
DISCUSSION:
Currently, the County’s primary homelessness interventions, delivered through provider agencies, include outreach and engagement, shelter and interim housing, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and emergency financial assistance. HSA has an opportunity to partner with the national Right at Home initiative to explore the development of a targeted homelessness prevention program that would expand the County’s existing prevention efforts, supported by a $500,000 grant from Right at Home.
HSA would like to amend the agreement with Focus Strategies to incorporate this additional project into the technical assistance contract. Focus Strategies will provide project management and technical assistance services to support the County’s planning process. The scope of work is organized into three phases: 1) Information Gathering and Project Planning, 2) Program Design and Refinement, and 3) Implementation Planning.
HSA is requesting that the Board authorize this amendment by adding $408,000 in funds for a revised total obligation not to exceed $1,233,677. The Board's approval of this amendment will allow the Center on Homelessness to contract with Focus Strategies with the support of the planning grant, and to explore how targeted homelessness prevention services might help reduce the number of unhoused people in the County.
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 in aggregate.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
|
|
|
Percentage of project goals met and completed on time |
100% |
90% |
|
Estimated amount of new or renewed program funding received through the annual CoC Federal CoC Planning competition |
$13.5M |
$13.5M |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This amendment will support planning activities that engage stakeholders with expertise in the needs of precariously housed residents of San Mateo County. No direct services will be provided to the community under this amendment. The services provided by Focus Strategies will enable Center on Homelessness staff and community stakeholders to more closely examine the “front door” to homelessness - that is, how individuals and families enter homelessness, to identify those at greatest risk, and the interventions that could prevent homelessness, thereby informing and strengthening the County’s ongoing efforts in this area.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Focus Strategies amendment is for a total amount of $408,000. These funds will be held in trust by the County until they are utilized. Budgetary appropriation to authorize the use of these funds will be included in the budget years that will be affected. There is no Net County Cost.