Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Claire Cunningham, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Agreement with Focus Strategies for Encampment Resolution Fund, Round 3 (ERF-3) Program Evaluation
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an Agreement with Focus Strategies to conduct an evaluation of Encampment Resolution Fund, Round 3 (ERF-3) program delivery, for the term of October 7, 2025 through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $300,000.
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BACKGROUND:
In 2023, the Human Services Agency in partnership with the County Executive's office spearheaded an application to the State of California seeking funding under the ERF-3 grant to secure funding to serve unhoused San Mateo County residents living in Critical Homeless Encampment Zones (CHEZ) identified through Caltrans and partner organizations. The ERF-3 grant targets 26 encampments throughout San Mateo County bordering US Highway 101, Interstate 280, Highway 1, and State Route 92 located in the cities of San Mateo, Burlingame, Menlo Park, South San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, and San Bruno with an estimated population of 211 unhoused residents.
The application was successful and on April 18, 2024, the California Department of Housing and Community Development awarded San Mateo County $14,134,200.12 to implement the ERF-3 program. This Board approved accepting the funds on June 25, 2024, with Resolution No. 080529.
The County has an interest in ensuring that its programs that serve the public are effective and efficient, and conducting evaluations provides actionable information on the efficacy of programs, increases transparency and accountability, and helps leaders make evidence-based decisions. Evaluations can be critical to understanding the populations served by the County's programs and how to improve services, which is especially important for programs that address homelessness.
On March 31, 2...
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