Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Amendment to the Agreement with Focus Strategies for Technical Assistance with Homeless Services and Continuum of Care
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Focus Strategies, for technical assistance and consultation services to add $80,000 in funds for a revised total amount not to exceed $825,677.
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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 (RFP) for providers of technical assistance. Focus Strategies was selected as the provider that best meets 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 services in the amount of $745,677 for the term of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027.
DISCUSSION:
Focus Strategies is a consulting firm which provides technical assistance and consultation to the CoC staff and committees to support CoC planning and strategy development, performance and progress monitoring, and compliance with regulations, laws, and notices. Focus Strategies also completes detailed components of applications for Continuum of Care funding and ensures compliance with all Continuum of Care requirements.
Earlier in FY 2024-25, there was an unexpected additional opportunity to apply for additional CoC funds for permanent supportive housing in the amount of $7.5 million. HSA submitted this application with significant support from Focus Strategies under this contract, so HSA is requesting $80,000 in additional funds be added in order to complete the remaining projects for this fiscal year, including data analysis and support of racial equity work, continued Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) data analysis, Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) 6 application support, and assistance with developing a voucher transfer policy framework and assessment tool from RRH to permanent supportive housing.
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 |
FY 2024-25 Anticipated |
FY 2025-26 Target |
FY 2026-27 Target |
|
Percentage of project goals met and completed on time |
100% |
90% |
90% |
|
Estimated amount of new or renewed program funding received through the annual CoC Federal CoC Planning competition |
$14.4M |
$13.5M |
$13.5M |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
The additional funds for FY 2024-25 will allow HSA, as the lead agency for the San Mateo County CoC, to provide continued efforts with Focus Strategies in the planning and improving homeless service strategies. Implementing the County’s plan to reach functional zero homelessness requires attention to equitable access to resources and equitable outcomes in the homeless response system.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this amended agreement is from July 01, 2024 through June 30, 2027. The amount of the agreement is increased by $80,000 for a new total obligation amount not to exceed $825,677. Funding for this agreement is provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care (HUD CoC) Grant and Net County Cost (NCC). Budgetary appropriation for this agreement is included in the FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget and all subsequent budgets that are affected by this agreement.