Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Amendment of the Agreement with LifeMoves for Non-Congregate Shelter Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the Agreement with LifeMoves for non-congregate homeless shelter services at the Navigation Center to reduce the number of restricted units, update the meal service requirements, clarify janitorial services and maintenance responsibilities, update the indirect cost rate, and increase the total obligation amount by $565,900 for a revised total not to exceed $23,551,317.
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo County’s Navigation Center is a key component to the County’s plan to reach a functional zero level of homelessness; that is, to offer every unsheltered person who chooses assistance a bed or unit in an emergency shelter, temporary housing, or permanent housing. The Navigation Center provides 240 temporary, safe living spaces to individuals and couples experiencing homelessness in San Mateo County. Services are provided onsite and include intensive, client-centered and housing-focused case management designed to help clients find and maintain permanent housing.
In September 2021, the Human Services Agency (HSA) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a provider to operate and deliver non-congregate homeless services at the Navigation Center. The non-profit, LifeMoves, was selected based on their experience providing shelter services, and overall program approach as outlined in the RFP evaluation criteria.
On October 18, 2022, by Resolution No. 079229, this Board entered into an agreement with LifeMoves to provide non-congregate shelter services for the term of October 18, 2022, through June 30, 2027, for a total obligation amount not to exceed $22,985,417.
LifeMoves began providing non-congregate shelter services on May 8, 2023.
On August 23, 2023, the parties amended the agreement to address the temporary circumstances of the Navigation Center’s elevator not yet being permitted for use, such that the County intended to undertake health and/or mobility determinations for some shelter clients to be placed in second and third-floor units at the Navigation Center.
DISCUSSION:
The Navigation Center provides short-term intervention for adults who are unsheltered (living outdoors, in vehicles or other places not meant for human habitation), or who are in a housing crisis and have no alternative housing options; and provides intensive services to assist the clients with identifying and moving into permanent housing as quickly as possible. Homeless shelter services provide an entry point into stabilization services and assists individuals to move toward permanent housing as quickly as possible. Individuals who enter a homeless shelter receive case management focused on helping them identify and move into permanent housing and are also connected to resources to address other needs such as employment and health services. The Navigation Center offers medical, dental, and substance use disorder services on-site to facilitate linkages and service coordination.
The parties now wish to amend the agreement to reflect several operational changes and clarifications.
There continues to be a total of 240 units at the Navigation Center. However, 19 units that previously were restricted to serve only veterans referred by the Department of Veteran Affairs are now unrestricted and can serve any eligible client.
To ensure that the program can operate at full capacity without the previous funding from the Department of Veteran Affairs, this amendment adds $565,900 over three (3) fiscal years for a revised total obligation not to exceed $23,551,317.
Additionally, this amendment adjusts the meal provision service by LifeMoves to include weekend and holiday meals, as Vocational Rehabilitation Services’ catering training program provides the meals for clients on weekdays, excluding holidays. In addition, this amendment will update maintenance responsibilities, including holding service agreements with vendors to provide preventative maintenance and repair services for kitchen equipment; and will further specify janitorial service responsibilities. Finally, the amendment includes LifeMoves’ federally negotiated indirect rate for administrative costs up to 18.60% of base costs.
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Attorney 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 |
Annual Target |
|
Percentage of households who exit to a permanent housing situation |
40% |
|
Percentage of program clients who increase their income while in the program |
30% |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The Navigation Center program will help advance equity in San Mateo County by addressing the urgent needs of unhoused adults. The Navigation Center provides a safe and supportive environment for people experiencing homelessness to stabilize, minimize trauma, and work towards transitioning to permanent housing. By assisting a vulnerable and underserved community, many of whom are people of color, the program helps address systemic inequities and barriers to housing. It is a step forward to fostering inclusivity and ensuring all residents have access to safe living conditions and the supportive services that a shelter provides.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this amended agreement is October 18, 2022, through June 30, 2027. The amendment adds $565,900 for a new total amount, not to exceed $23,551,317. This agreement will be funded using Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant, Measure K sales and use tax revenue, Net County Cost, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Homekey, and Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds. Budgetary appropriation for this agreement is included in the FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget and all subsequent budgets that are affected by this agreement.