Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Cole, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Measure K: Agreement with StarVista to provide Homeless Shelter Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a waiver of the Request for Proposals process and approving execution of an agreement with StarVista to provide homeless shelter services for the term of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 in an amount not to exceed $240,697.
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BACKGROUND:
Homeless Shelter Services are an essential component of the County of San Mateo’s homeless crisis response system, serving as key access points to assist people experiencing homelessness with returning to permanent housing. After obtaining Board approval, on June 27, 2017, by Resolution No. 075303, the County entered into an agreement with StarVista to provide a healthy, safe shelter facility, and housing-focused case management services to youth aged 16 to 21 who may be experiencing homelessness, and who may face a variety of barriers to maintaining housing including little to no income, evictions, criminal convictions, alcohol or other substance use issues, and mental and physical health challenges. These services are provided at StarVista’s Daybreak Shelter.
The COVID-19 pandemic created unique risks and challenges for homeless services providers. Given their central role in serving the County’s vulnerable communities, homeless services providers, including StarVista, were hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many were faced with financial, workforce, technological, and operational challenges and have had to make major operational changes, while adopting new programs, to ensure the health and wellbeing of clients served.
Homeless services providers were and continue to be essential to reaching County vaccination targets through the provision of COVID-19 specific services that include outreach, vaccine information and education, as well as vaccination appointment scheduling and transportations. Both the County and its homeless services providers are still adjusting to the impacts as a result of COVID-19 and the subsequent Omicron variant.
DISCUSSION:
The current agreement between the County and StarVista has reached a 5-year maximum term limit and is set to expire on June 30, 2022. The Human Services Agency (HSA) requests that the Board waive the Request for Proposals (RFP) process and execute a one-year agreement with StarVista to continue to provide homeless shelter services to youth aged 16 to 21. StarVista will continue to provide a healthy and safe living space to residents; housing-focused case management and service linkages; and will participate in the County’s Inclement Weather program.
Pursuant to Section 2.83.070(b) of the County Ordinance Code, the Board of Supervisors may waive the requirement of a request for proposals in any situation where the Board of Supervisors determines that the best interest of the County could be served without the necessity of requests for proposals.
HSA planned to release an RFP in FY 2021-22; however, given the effects of the pandemic to the County, and to homeless services providers operating in the County, HSA believes it would be in the best interest of the County to allow more time for HSA to conduct a solicitation that ensures the best outcome for the County is received. Conducting an RFP during a time (FY 2021-22) when providers were, and still are, responding to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic would divert provider attention from responding to the critical needs of San Mateo County’s vulnerable community members. HSA anticipates publishing an RFP in FY 2022-23.
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution 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 the aggregate).
It is anticipated that for the term of this agreement, 75% of all individuals in a shelter program who exit, will exit into a permanent housing situation and the average length of stay for shelter participants in the shelter program is 120 days.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2022-23 Projected |
|
Percent of all individuals in the shelter program who exit, will exit into a permanent housing situation |
75% |
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Average length of stay for participants in the shelter program |
120 days |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this agreement is July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. The amount of the agreement is $240,697. Funding for this agreement is provided through the county’s Measure K sales and use tax revenue. Budgetary appropriation for this agreement is included in the FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget. There is no other Net County Cost associated with this agreement.