Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise Rogers, Chief, Health System
David Young, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Subject: Agreement with FOCUS Strategies for Technical Assistance Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with FOCUS Strategies for Technical Assistance services, for the term of May 22, 2018 through June 30, 2020, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.
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BACKGROUND:
On July 1, 2016, Governor Brown signed legislation enacting the No Place Like Home (NPLH) program, dedicating up to $2 billion in bond proceeds to finance the acquisition, design, construction, rehabilitation, preservation, and capitalized operating reserves of permanent supportive housing for individuals living with a serious mental illness who are homeless, chronically homeless, at-risk of homelessness, or at-risk of chronic homelessness. The NPLH program divides bond proceeds into two programs: 1) $200 million for an “over the counter” non-competitive program for counties; and 2) $1.8 billion for a competitive program, which includes an alternative allocation process for counties with at least five percent of the State’s homeless population. Based on its population size and proportional homeless count, San Mateo County will be eligible to apply for funding through the competitive program, as well as the non-competitive/”over the counter” funds. Funds awarded through the competitive program will be made available as loans underwritten by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to individual multifamily rental properties.
On April 10, 2017, HCD announced the availability of approximately $6.2 million in statewide funding for Technical Assistance (TA) Grants for the NPLH program. The County of San Mateo is eligible to receive a one-time TA Grant in the amount of $150,000 to fund eligible activities that support the planning, design, application for and implementation of a NPLH project that includes a Coordinated Entry System, permanent supportive housing, and the accompanying supportive services for individuals suffering from serious mental illness. Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) applied for and was awarded the Technical Assistance grant funding under NPLH. On August 29, 2017, BHRS released a Request for Proposals for NPLH Technical Assistance. FOCUS Strategies was the only respondent. Focus Strategies has eleven years of experience providing technical assistance to other Counties on the design and implementation of its Mental Health Services Act housing programs.
DISCUSSION:
The agreement with FOCUS Strategies is to provide Technical Assistance for the housing project NPLH. FOCUS Strategies will work with BHRS, Department of Housing and Housing Developers to understand the NPLH requirements, implement NPLH service implementation, develop recommendations for improvement, and assist in developing funding applications for housing projects.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendments of the County’s fiscal obligation by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
Approval of this agreement contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by providing housing and supportive services to mentally ill clients. It is anticipated that 50% of trained entities by FOCUS Strategies will apply for NPLH funding.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2017-18 Actual |
FY 2018-19 Projected |
|
50%Percent of trained entities by FOCUS Strategies that will apply for NPLH funding |
* |
50% |
*This is a new contract. It is anticipated that data will be available in FY 2018-19.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is May 22, 2018 through June 30, 2020. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $150,000 for the two-year term. Funds in the amount of $80,000 have been included in BHRS FY 2017-18 Recommended Budget. Costs for this agreement will be fully funded by State NPLH grant funds.