SUBJECT:
Title
AUTHORIZE COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION FOR AN ADMINISTRATOR FOR HOMELESS HOUSING AND SUPPORT TO SERVE PEOPLE WITH HIGH NEEDS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
In 2017, the County of San Diego (County) received its first allocation of Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) funding. HDAP offers housing related financial assistance and wrap-around supportive services, including, but not limited to interim housing, rental assistance, housing navigation, case management, security deposits, utility payments, moving costs, legal services, and credit repair. Since 2017, HDAP combined with other funding sources has served high-needs populations and have allowed the contracted providers flexibility to secure housing for 594 individuals through hotel vouchers, rental assistance and deposits, landlord incentives, storage fees, and structural modifications for livability. On May 31, 2022, these provider contracts will end; as a result, the County seeks to secure an entity to continue administration of the current housing subsidies for eligible tenants, as well as the capacity to add new housing rental subsidies and provide housing related supports for eligible individuals. The provided housing interventions and supports will be determined by the individual/household’s level of need, and may include housing navigation/locator, housing specific case management services, landlord and tenant supports, short-, mid- and long-term housing assistance. The housing assistance strategies could include bridge housing, master leasing, flat rental subsidies, shared housing, as well as other evidence-based housing solutions.
Over the last several years, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) has demonstrated its commitment to housing and supports to address the needs of people experiencing and at-risk of homelessness. Most recently, on April 6, 2021 (06) the Board called for the establishment of the Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities to provide regional leadership on homelessness. The intent of the new department is to achieve sustained focus on the complex and interconnected issue of homelessness and better coordination of existing and future homeless activities and progress. In alignment with previous actions and in order to continue to advance the Board’s priorities, a homeless housing and support administrator is needed to serve persons experiencing homelessness.
Today’s actions request the Board authorize the Director, Department of Purchasing and Contracting to issue a competitive solicitation for a homeless housing and support administrator. Additionally, today’s action requests the Board authorize application for future funding opportunities related to addressing homelessness. These items align with the County’s Live Well San Diego vision by creating an opportunity to further support the housing needs of vulnerable people and help them thrive to remain healthy and safe. In addition, this effort supports the Framework for Our Future which prioritizes communities and populations in San Diego that have been historically left behind.
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 administrator, and upon successful negotiations and determination of a fair and reasonable price, award a contract(s) for the period of up to one year and up to 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 Agency Director, Health and Human Services Agency.
2. Authorize the Agency Director, Health and Human Services Agency, 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
Securing an administrator for homeless housing and supports will assist those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness throughout San Diego County. It is anticipated that this action will provide needed housing and supports to residents who are disproportionality represented in the homeless system including justice involved individuals as well as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). In general, the incidence of Black, Native Americans and other persons of color experiencing homelessness mirrors the disparities found at the broader community levels. These group are over-represented in homelessness when compared to their proportion on the general
community. Locally, Black people make up 5.5 percent of the general population with 28 percent represented in the homeless population, American Indian/Alaskan Native make up 1.3 percent of the population with 2.6 percent represented in the homeless population. In addition, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander make up .6 percent of the population with 1.5 percent represented in the homeless population. As a means to drive these funds to address these inequities, the following actions will occur: 1. data will be collected and evaluated to identify opportunities of impact and program improvement. The data collection will include comparing demographics of the general population to those served by the program; 2. data points will be identified to drive goals and foster equity; 3. geographic mapping will be developed to inform place-based investments and 4. qualitative data from focus groups will be tracked to evaluate for program improvement and successes.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year 2021-23 Operational Plan in the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). If approved, this request will result in costs and revenue of approximately $1,330,000 in Fiscal Year 2021-22 and costs and revenue of approximately $2,014,000 in Fiscal Year 2022-23. The funding sources are existing allocations of State funding from housing funds for Whole Person Wellness and the Housing Disability Advocacy Program. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
The Housing Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) is an ongoing allocation from the Department of Social Services to counties funding financial assistance for flexible housing supports for individuals applying for disability benefits. In 2017, the County of San Diego (County) received its first allocation of HDAP funding. HDAP offers persons experiencing homelessness housing related financial assistance and wrap-around supportive services. Since 2017, HDAP combined with other funding sources has served high-needs populations and have allowed the contracted providers flexibility to secure housing for 594 individuals through hotel vouchers, rental assistance and deposits, landlord incentives, storage fees, and structural modifications for livability. On May 31, 2022, these provider contracts will end; as a result, the County seeks to secure an entity to continue administration of the current housing subsidies for eligible tenants, as well as the capacity to add new housing rental subsidies and provide housing related supports for eligible individuals. The provided housing interventions and supports will be determined by the individual/household’s level of need, and may include housing navigation/locator, housing specific case management services, landlord and tenant supports, short-, mid- and long-term housing assistance. The housing assistance strategies could include bridge housing, master leasing, flat rental subsidies, shared housing, as well as other evidence-based housing solutions. The HDAP will provide critical resources by providing much needed housing resources and supports to our unhoused and at-risk neighbors.
Utilizing HDAP funding continues the County commitment to addressing homelessness. Over the last several years, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) has demonstrated its focus on implementing effective strategies to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Most recently, on April 6, 2021 (06) the Board called for the establishment of the Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities to provide regional leadership on homelessness.
In alignment with previous actions and in order to continue to advance the Board’s priorities, an administrator for homeless housing and support is needed to serve persons experiencing homelessness. The County seeks to secure an entity to continue administration of the current housing subsidies for eligible tenants, as well as the capacity to add new housing rental subsidies and provide housing related supports for eligible individuals. The solicited administrator would support opportunities for individuals who are homeless and/or at-risk of homelessness and have a disability. The provided housing interventions and supports will be determined by the individual/household’s level of need, and may include housing navigation/locator, housing specific case management services, landlord and tenant supports, short-, mid- and long-term housing assistance and administration of rental payments to landlords. The housing assistance strategies could include bridge housing, master leasing, flat rental subsidies, shared housing, as well as other evidence-based housing solutions. In sum, the Administrator will accomplish the goal of providing services and housing to one of our most vulnerable populations - those experiencing and at-risk of homelessness with a disability - through an approach that creates safe, healthy and thriving communities by ensuring access to housing and key supports.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions support Building Better Health, Living Safely and Thriving initiatives in the County of San Diego’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, as well as the County’s Live Well San Diego vision by increasing the availability of housing for people experiencing homelessness combined with the services to meet their needs most appropriately.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN N. ROBBINS-MEYER
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
N/A
AGENDA ITEM INFORMATION SHEET
REQUIRES FOUR VOTES: ☐ Yes ☒ No
WRITTEN DISCLOSURE PER COUNTY CHARTER SECTION 1000.1 REQUIRED
☐ Yes ☒ No
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PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOARD ACTIONS: June 8, 2021 (03) Approve the Recommended Framework for the Use of American Rescue Plan Act Funding, Establish Appropriations to Support Proposed Actions, and Authorize the Auditor & Controller to Establish a Trust Fund for the American Rescue Plan Act Program Funds; April 6, 2021 (06), Creating a Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities and Adoption of Guiding Principles on Addressing Homelessness; February 12, 2019 (01) A Resolution of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Providing Authorization to Participate in the First Round Notice of Funding Availability for the No Place Like Home Program Competitive Alternative Process Allocation Funds; September 11, 2018 (06) A Resolution to Accept and Administer State Homeless Mentally Ill Outreach and Treatment Funds; November 13, 2018 (09) A Resolution of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Authorizing Acceptance of the County of San Diego Noncompetitive Allocation Award Under the No Place Like Home Program; December 13, 2016 (4), Authorization to Procure Services for Whole Person Wellness Pilot; June 28, 2016 (6), Authorization to Submit a Whole Person Care Pilot Proposal; February 2, 2016 (14), Board Direction to Establish Project One for All. |
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BOARD POLICIES APPLICABLE: A-87 - Competitive Procurement B-29 - Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Cost Recovery |
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BOARD POLICY STATEMENTS: In accordance with Board Policy B-29, the Agency Director, Health and Human Services Agency certifies that activities funded by the Housing Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) Grant would be worthy of funding with County resources if external financing were unavailable. This program will help to provide housing and supports to vulnerable persons. |
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MANDATORY COMPLIANCE: N/A |
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ORACLE AWARD NUMBER(S) AND CONTRACT AND/OR REQUISITION NUMBER(S): N/A |
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ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: Health and Human Services Agency |
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OTHER CONCURRENCE(S): |
Department of Purchasing and Contracting |
CONTACT PERSON(S):
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Omar Passons |
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Barbara Jimenez |
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Name |
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Name |
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619-507-9676 |
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619-338-2722 |
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Phone |
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Phone |
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Omar.Passons@sdcounty.ca.gov |
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Barbara.jimenez@sdcounty.ca.gov |
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E-mail |
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E-mail |