Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Nicole Pollack, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Measure K: Amendment to 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 one year to June 30, 2020 and increasing the amount by $1,153,103 in Measure K funds for a revised total amount not to exceed $4,768,507.
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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.
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 supportive housing, and homeless outreach efforts. The Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo also contracts with Abode Services for housing locator services and over a period of 3 years, Abode has assisted 267 households to find housing under the Human Service’s Agency (HSA) and Housing Authority contracts.
On December 15, 2015, by Resolution 074278, the Board approved an agreement with Abode Services 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 subsequently amended on June 27, 2017, by Resolution 075293, to extend the term through June 30, 2019 and added $2,223,094 for a revised total of $3,615,404.
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 plan addresses homelessness as a housing crisis, and San Mateo County has been developing 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.
This amendment extends the current term by one year to June 30, 2020 and adds $1,153,103 in Measure K funding for a revised total obligation not to exceed $4,768,507. It 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.
The populations to be served are homeless individuals and families who have significant challenges with re-entering housing such as the chronically homeless population. Referrals are processed through the County’s Coordinated Entry System and are prioritized for those in highest need.
The amendment and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
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 households to be placed into housing during the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Housing Service Coordinators will maintain an active caseload of 25 to 35 households and provide housing-focused case management to assist those at risk of homelessness remain housed. It is anticipated that 70 individuals or families will be placed in housing by Contractor and that 75% of households (individual or families) will remain housed for six months.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2018-19 Actuals (Mid Year) |
FY 2019-20 Projected |
|
Number of households (individuals or families) placed in housing by Contractor |
35 |
70 |
|
Percentage of households (individuals or households) who remain housed for one year |
76% |
70% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this amended agreement has been extended one year to June 30, 2020. The amount of this amended agreement has been increased by $1,153,103 for a revised total amount not to exceed $4,768,507. This amendment is 100% Net County Cost 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 2019-20 Recommended Budget.