Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Iliana Rodriguez, Interim Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Agreement with StarVista for Rapid Re-Housing
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) An agreement with StarVista to provide Rapid Re-housing services to homeless youth for the term of December 3, 2019 to June 30, 2021 and a total obligation amount of $325,000; and
B) The Director of the Human Services Agency or designee to execute amendments to said Agreement which modify the County’s maximum fiscal obligation by no more than $100,000 (in aggregate) during the same term for the purpose of expending Homeless Emergency Aid Program funds by June 30, 2021 as mandated by Health and Safety Code Sections 50214 and 50215.
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BACKGROUND:
In close collaboration with many County and community partners, the Human Services Agency (HSA) coordinates homeless services throughout the County of San Mateo. HSA also serves as the lead agency in the County for the Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) and is the administrative entity for Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP), which is a one-time block grant program funded by the State of California.
HEAP funding in the amount of $4,933,138.71 was awarded to HSA by the State of California’s Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) to address the emergency needs of homeless individuals and individuals at imminent risk of homelessness by providing services such as capital improvement to shelter facilities, rapid re-housing (RRH), rental assistance or subsidies, and services for youth experiencing homelessness.
On June 19, 2019, guided by the priorities of the County's strategic plan on homelessness and with opportunities to fund new or enhanced services with the awarded HEAP funding, HSA released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for homeless services, including RRH services for transition age (18-24) youth. StarVista was selected as the provider for these services as the agency that will best meet the needs of this population.
DISCUSSION:
HSA is requesting to enter into an agreement with StarVista to provide RRH services tailored to serve transition aged youth quickly exit homelessness and stabilize in permanent housing. StarVista will provide RRH services to a minimum of seven youth referred through the County’s Coordinated Entry System (CES) to ensure that those with the highest housing needs are being served. Services are intensive and include short- to medium-term financial assistance/rental subsidies, comprehensive housing identification services, and case management services. Specifically, StarVista will help youth search for/locate and move into permanent housing; will provide financial assistance in the form of rent, security deposit or other move-in related costs; and will work with youth to help them develop a housing plan that is centered on goals related to promoting self-sufficiency and housing permanency. In addition, StarVista will assist participants with stabilizing after being permanently housed by providing continuous case management services and rent subsidies that gradually reduce over time as the participant builds resources to take on the full cost of rent.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution and agreement as to form.
It is anticipated that 65% of participants will move into permanent housing within 45 days of referral to the program, and 85% of participants will not become homeless within 12 months of securing permanent housing.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2019-20 Anticipated |
FY 2020-21 Anticipated |
|
Percent of participants that will move into permanent housing within 45 days of referral to the program. |
65% |
65% |
|
Percentage of participants that will not become homeless within 12 months of securing permanent housing. |
85% |
85% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Agreement term is December 3, 2019 to June 30, 2021 and the total obligation amount is $325,000. This Agreement is funded 100% by the state’s Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP). Budgetary appropriation for this Agreement is included in the FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget, and in the FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agreement.