Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Agreement with StarVista for Homelessness Prevention Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing a waiver of the Request for Proposals (RFP) process and approving the execution of an agreement with StarVista to provide homeless prevention and housing related services under the Bringing Families Home program, for a total amount not to exceed $515,904 for the term of January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
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BACKGROUND:
The Bringing Families Home (BFH) program was established by Assembly Bill (AB) 1603 (Chapter 25, Statutes of 2016) and updated by Senate Bill (SB) 80 (Chapter 27, Statutes 2019) to reduce the number of families in the child welfare system experiencing or at risk of homelessness, increase family reunification, and prevent foster care placement. BFH provides housing first services including rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and housing vouchers to families experiencing homelessness when Children and Family Services (CFS) is involved.
The Human Services Agency’s (HSA) CFS branch applied for and received BFH grant funding to provide families with financial assistance and housing-related wrap-around supportive services including, but not limited to, rental assistance, housing navigation, case management, security deposits, utility payments, moving costs, hotel and motel vouchers, legal services, and credit repair.
Per the Administrative Memorandum B-1 (May 9, 2022) Section IV. Waivers of Competitive Requirements, paragraph B. Non-Emergency - Specific Exemptions item 18, the competitive procurement requirements may be waived for Child Welfare Services or Behavioral Health and Recovery Services with any qualified provider, including long-term locked facilities without specialized treatment programs; housing and related support services; and individual private mental-health services.
DISCUSSION:
HSA requests this Board waive the RFP requirement for the agreement with StarVista because it provides families at risk of experiencing homelessness with access to critical housing related and homeless prevention services. StarVista has the expertise and capacity necessary to address the unique housing related issues presented by this population. Under this agreement, StarVista will provide housing-related financial assistance such as paying for utility bills, providing emergency shelter, and/or first/last month’s rent in order to secure or maintain housing. Additional services may include housing-related case management, which will assist families in achieving housing sustainability by providing connections to other resources including, but not limited to, benefit programs, financial education, job training, and community connections.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions authorizing the Director of the Human Services Agency or designee to execute contract amendments which modify the County’s maximum fiscal obligation by no more than $25,000 in aggregate.
County Attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2023-24 Anticipated |
FY 2024-25 Target |
|
Percent of families experiencing or who are at-risk of homelessness who received Bringing Families Home services in order to prevent further child welfare involvement. |
80% |
85% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $515,904.00. The total obligation of this agreement is anticipated to be funded through Child Welfare Services Bringing Families Home allocation. There is no Net County Cost. Funds for these services are included in the FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget.