DATE:
September 9, 2025
06
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
AUTHORIZE COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION FOR AN ADMINISTRATOR FOR HOMELESS HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO SERVE PEOPLE WITH HIGH NEEDS WHO ARE AT-RISK OF OR EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On August 31, 2021 (8), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the competitive solicitation of a homeless housing and support administrator to provide administration of housing subsidies and services and payment of housing related expenses for eligible program participants. Subsequently, the County of San Diego (County) established a contract in 2022 to administer these services, along with the provision of housing related supports. These housing supports are determined based on the participants level of need, and may include housing navigation, housing specific case management services, landlord and tenant supports, and other housing assistance.
The current homeless housing and support administrator contract (567272) was designed with the ability to be expanded to provide fiscal administration and housing support to various programs, as needed, to serve people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The programs included are the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP), and Shallow Rent Subsidy Program (SRSP). HDAP offers outreach, housing related financial assistance and supportive services, and benefits advocacy for people with disabilities applying for public benefits, primarily Social Security Income. On September 27, 2022 (25), the Board approved the implementation of the Pilot SRSP. Subsidy payments for two rounds of SRSP have been administered through this contract and have provided housing stability for rent-burdened seniors at-risk of homelessness. The current contract that administers both HDAP and SRSP is set to end in July 2026.
Today's action requests the Board authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to issue a competitive solicitation for a homeless housing and support services administrator and authorize application for future funding opportunities related to addressing homelessness. This effort aligns with the County's Framework for Ending Homelessness to prioritize services for people experiencing homelessness in our communities, and also with the Housing Blueprint, which focuses on addressing the root causes of the housing crisis through a comprehensive and equitable housing strategy.
This item supports the County vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all, specifically those communities and populations in San Diego County that have been historically left behind. These efforts support our ongoing commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities. This will be accomplished by creating an opportunity to further support the housing needs of vulnerable individuals and help them thrive and remain safely housed.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. In accordance with Section 401, Article XXIII of the County Administrative Code, authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to issue a competitive solicitation for a homeless housing and support services administrator, and upon successful negotiations and determination of a fair and reasonable price, award a contract(s) for a term of one year, with four option years, and up to an additional six months if needed, and to amend the contract(s) to reflect changes in program, funding or service requirements, subject to the availability of funds and the approval of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Health and Human Services Agency.
2. Authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Health and Human Services Agency, or designee, to apply for future funding opportunities related to addressing homelessness throughout the region in the current and future fiscal years, as they will provide overall value to the County by advancing efforts to reduce the number of people in the County who are at-risk of or experiencing homelessness.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
According to the Regional Taskforce on Homelessness (RTFH), the 2025 Point-in-Time Count identified 9,905 individuals living on the streets or in shelters; of those, 178 individuals were counted in the unincorporated areas of the County. Regionwide, this represents a decrease of 7% from the previous year. Of those experiencing unsheltered homelessness, 1% are families, 7% are veterans, 7% are youth, and 46% are chronically homeless.
Securing an administrator for homeless housing and support services will assist people who are at-risk of or experiencing homelessness throughout San Diego County by supporting the administration of housing subsidies and services and payment of housing related expenses for eligible participants. This action will provide critical assistance to those disproportionately represented by equity-seeking groups, including people with disabilities, justice-involved individuals, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, these services will support older adults (aged 50 and over) who are the fastest growing population experiencing homelessness in California and the largest share of households experiencing homelessness for the first time.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Authorizing competitive solicitation of an administrator for homeless housing and support services directly supports the County of San Diego (County) Sustainability Goal #2 of providing just and equitable access to services and resources by focusing on vulnerable populations who need support to obtain public benefits and secure and maintain affordable housing, and Sustainability Goal #4 to protect the health and well-being of everyone in the region by providing housing and support services to vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness and ensuring they remain stably housed and do not return to homelessness.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-27 Operational Plan for the Health and Human Services Agency. If approved, this request will result in estimated costs and revenue of $225,000 for FY 2025-26 and $1,322,522 for FY 2026-27, for a total cost and revenue of $1,547,522. The funding source is an existing allocation of State funding from the Department of Social Services for Homeless Disability and Advocacy Program. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
On August 31, 2021 (8), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the competitive solicitation for homeless housing and support services administrator contract. Subsequently, the County of San Diego (County) established a contract in 2022 to support the fiscal administration of housing subsidies and payment of housing related expenses for eligible participants, along with the provision of housing-related support. These housing supports are determined based on the participants level of need, and may include housing navigation, housing specific case management services, landlord and tenant supports, and housing assistance. This contract has been serving people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness participating in the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) as well as people at-risk of homelessness in the Shallow Rental Subsidy Program (SRSP).
The County receives HDAP funding from the California Department of Social Services, Housing and Homelessness Division, to prevent and end homelessness among older adults and people with disabilities who are likely eligible for disability benefits. HDAP has four components: outreach, disability benefits advocacy, case management, and housing assistance. The program provides housing-related case management services, time-limited subsidies, and advocacy for participants applying for financial benefits from the Social Security Administration. Since its inception in 2018, HDAP has secured housing for more than 700 individuals with disabilities through emergency housing, rental assistance deposits, and permanent housing. HDAP also provided case management and benefit advocacy.
On September 27, 2022 (25), the Board approved the implementation and evaluation of the County SRSP. The program launched in 2023 and provides eligible senior households at-risk of homelessness with $500 per month in rental subsidies for 18 months, paid directly to their landlord. This program currently serves 380 rent-burdened senior households and leverages the homeless housing and support administrator contract to assist with the application and enrollment process, fiscal payments, and data collection for the program.
The homeless housing and support administrator contract was designed and established with an ability to be expanded to provide fiscal administration and housing-related supports to other programs, as needed. The current contract is set to end in July 2026. To ensure continuity of essential supports, an administrator for homeless housing and support is needed to continue serving persons with disabilities who are at-risk of or experiencing homelessness with support to access housing and income that will end their homelessness.
Today's action requests the Board authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting, to issue a competitive solicitation for a homeless housing and support services administrator and to amend the current contract to reflect changes in program, funding, or service requirements. Additionally, today's action requests the Board to authorize the application of future funding opportunities related to addressing homelessness. If approved, the solicitation process is anticipated to begin in the Fall of 2025. The contracted entity will administer flexible funding for housing-related programs, including HDAP, as additional funding opportunities become available. The new contract will allow the County to continue providing services to vulnerable populations through an approach that creates safe, healthy, and thriving communities by ensuring access to housing and key supports.
This effort aligns with the County's Framework for Ending Homelessness (Framework), which encompasses the County's ongoing work on homelessness and provides a vision to support forward, collaborative, and impactful progress. Furthermore, today's action supports the Framework domains of Outreach, Emergency and Interim Housing and Resources and Permanent Housing and Support. It supports all five Framework key drivers that guide the County approach: Person-Centered, Data, Regional Collaboration, Sustainability, and Equity.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today's proposed actions support the County of San Diego 2025-2030 Strategic Plan Initiatives of Community (Quality of Life) and Equity (Housing) by increasing the availability of housing supports for people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness combined with services to meet their needs.
Respectfully submitted,
EBONY N. SHELTON
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
N/A
SUBJECT:
AUTHORIZE COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION FOR AN ADMINISTRATOR FOR HOMELESS HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO SERVE PEOPLE WITH HIGH NEEDS WHO ARE AT-RISK OF OR EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY (DISTRICTS: ALL)
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COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
AGENDA ITEM
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
PALOMA AGUIRRE
First District
JOEL ANDERSON
Second District
TERRA LAWSON-REMER
Third District
MONICA MONTGOMERY STEPPE
Fourth District
JIM DESMOND
Fifth District
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