Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Iliana Rodriguez, Director, Human Services agency
Subject: Measure K: Amendment to the agreement with Abode Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with Abode Services to provide housing opportunities to low-income homeless individuals and families, extending the term by two years to June 30, 2019 and increasing the amount by $2,223,094 to an amount not to exceed $3,615,404.
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BACKGROUND:
With the San Mateo County Strategic Plan to end homelessness by 2020, the County is committed to supporting homeless individuals and families to return to permanent housing with a variety of housing intervention resources and strong network of homeless system providers. In 2015 San Mateo County identified the need for housing locator services to assist homeless individuals and families in identifying affordable housing and engaging landlords to accept housing subsidies.
On December 15, 2015, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with Abode Services by resolution 074278 for the term of December 15, 2015 through June 30, 2017 in an amount not to exceed $1,392,310 to provide housing opportunities for low-income homeless individuals and families in San Mateo County. The agreement was awarded after a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Housing Locator Services was conducted by the Department of Housing (DOH) on April 8, 2015.
Abode Services implements best practices to address the challenges of high costs for housing and provides case management services to help homeless individuals and families engage with landlords and retain housing. Housing locator services help San Mateo County maximize utilization of housing intervention resources for homeless households, such as the Housing Readiness Program vouchers, permanent supporting housing, and homeless outreach efforts.
DISCUSSION:
The countywide homeless system redesign is currently in progress. The premise of the new strategic plan to end homelessness by 2020 is based on creating one system, investing in best practices, and incorporating system improvements to re-orient the current homeless system. The new plan addresses homelessness as a housing crisis and San Mateo County will develop a continuum of services that are targeted at maintaining housing, returning the homeless to housing as quickly as possible, and prioritizing existing system capacity for those who face the highest barriers and have the longest history of homelessness. New strategies were presented to the Board of Supervisors on March 29, 2016, and the implementation plan is being created considering the new strategies and priorities. Accordingly, the Human Services Agency (HSA) is submitting for approval an amendment that will increase the current agreement with Abode Services by $2,223,094 for a new amount not to exceed $3,615,404 and will extend the term by two years to June 30, 2019 to ensure the continuation of services. During this period, HSA will evaluate the services being provided under the contract to determine if an RFP is necessary for services provided under the contract within the context of the impending homeless system redesign implementation.
This amendment will permit Abode Services to continue to provide services to homeless individuals and families in San Mateo County who are referred to the housing locator and case management services program by the referral process established by HSA. This program is aligned with the Housing First approach and the target population includes: homeless people with disabilities; little to no income; eviction history; criminal convictions; alcohol and/or other substance use; mental and physical health challenges; and other barriers to maintaining housing.
The amendment and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form. The Contract Compliance Committee has approved a waiver to extend the term of the agreement beyond the three years.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendments of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
This amendment contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Prosperous Community by locating housing for homeless San Mateo County residents. This amendment will allow 70 clients to be placed into housing during each fiscal year of the extended term of the agreement. Housing Service Coordinators will maintain an active caseload of 25 to 40 households and provide housing-focused case management to assist those at risk of homelessness remain housed. It is anticipated that 75% of households (individual or households) will remain housed for six months. Additionally, it is anticipated that 70% of households will remain housed for at least a year.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2016-17 Actual |
FY 2017-18 Projected |
|
Percentage of households (individuals or households) who remain housed for six months. |
75% |
75% |
|
Percentage of households (individuals or households) who remain housed for one year. |
70% |
70% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this amended agreement has been extended by two years to end on June 30, 2019. The amount of this amended agreement has been increased by $2,223,094 for a new total obligation of $3,615,404. This agreement is 100% Net County Cost which is funded through Measure K Sales and Use tax revenue appropriated for Homeless Services. Budgetary appropriation for this amended agreement has been included in the FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19 Recommended Budgets.