Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Agreement with Abode Services for Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) Rapid Re-Housing and Shallow Subsidy Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Abode Services to provide Rapid Re-housing and Shallow Subsidy Services for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $609,744.
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BACKGROUND:
As part of the County’s strategic plan on homelessness, the Human Services Agency (HSA) and community partners provide a spectrum of services to support people experiencing homelessness and helps them move back into permanent housing. One of these services is rapid re-housing (RRH) services. RRH is a type of homeless service that provides enrolled clients with intensive housing location assistance, time-limited rental subsidies, and case management.
In September 2022, the California Department of Social Services announced Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) funding for FY 2022-23 with an expenditure deadline of June 30, 2025. In November 2022, the Human Services Agency (HSA) accepted $1,829,232 in non-competitive awards for HDAP expenditures through June 30, 2025.
On March 13, 2024, HSA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Rapid Re-housing and Shallow Subsidy Services funded by HDAP. On April 18, 2024, an evaluation was conducted of all the proposals received in response to the Rapid Re-housing and Shallow Subsidy Services RFP. At the conclusion of the RFP, the review panel recommended that HSA enter into a contract with Abode Services for Rapid Re-housing and Shallow Subsidy Services.
DISCUSSION:
Under this Agreement, Abode Services will provide HDAP Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) and Shallow Subsidy services for families and adults experiencing homelessness who have a disability but are not currently receiving disability benefits. Disability benefits that program participants might be eligible for include the Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Program for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (SSI/SSP), the federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, and the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).
Program participants are those with significant barriers to returning to housing, such as long periods of homelessness, history of evictions, physical and mental health challenges, and other challenges. RRH is a key component of the homeless crisis response system because it provides intensive services to individuals and families with significant barriers to returning to housing.
In the HDAP RRH and Shallow Subsidy program, Abode Services will provide intensive short- to medium-term rental subsidies, comprehensive housing identification services, and case management services to program participants. Under a separate contract, program participants will receive disability benefits advocacy services, which is intensive support in the disability benefits application process. Once housed, program participants will continue to receive case management services and rental assistance until they receive a final disability benefits award and/or determination. If program participants are unable to remain stably housed once they receive a disability benefits award, Abode Services will provide a shallow subsidy to the program participant until they are able to be self-sufficient or are connected to a longer-term housing subsidy.
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendments of the County’s fiscal obligation by a maximum of $25,000 (in the aggregate).
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-25 Target |
|
Number of households served |
30 |
|
Percentage of households who maintain housing and do not become homeless within 12 months of securing permanent housing |
85% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
This agreement is for the term of July 01, 2024, through June 30, 2025, and a total obligation amount not to exceed $609,744. The total obligation amount is funded by Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) funding. Budgetary appropriation for this agreement will be included in the FY24-25 Recommended Budget. There is no General Fund Net County Cost associated with this agreement.