Title
a. Ratify the County Administrative Officer’s execution of Amendment #2 to the agreement with Coalition of Homeless Services Providers, to add rapid re-housing services to the scope of work with no changes to the total contract not-to-exceed amount of $3,601,213 for the period upon execution through December 31, 2020, and:
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) additional amendments to this agreement where total amendments do not increase funding for the Agreement and do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Ratify the County Administrator Officer’s execution of Amendment #2 to the agreement with Coalition of Homeless Services Providers to add rapid re-housing services defined as coordinated services providing housing navigation, rent and move-in assistance and case management to the scope of work with no changes to the total contract not-to-exceed amount of $3,601,213 for the period upon execution through December 31, 2020, and:
b. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) additional amendments to this agreement where total amendments do not increase funding for the Agreement and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this amendment is to expand the scope of work for the oversight and operations of the ‘high-risk COVID-19” Project Roomkey services, which provides non-congregate shelter options for people experiencing homelessness and are at high risk for medical complications were they to become infected from COVID-19. Project Roomkey serves as an important method to support our community’s response to COVID-19, but the service is limited by room capacity. The original agreement with the Coalition for Project Roomkey services did not include all the rapid re-housing components deemed needed at this time. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there is a recognized need for rapid re-housing services that include financial rent and move-in assistance to support program participants in transitioning from the temporary housing within Project Roomkey to more permanent housing where they continue to shelter in place and practice social distancing to support their health needs.
In recognition of this need, the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers (CHSP) contracted service providers will provide rapid re-housing services defined as coordinated services providing housing navigation, rent and move-in assistance and case management focused on housing plans that establish and achieve milestones with the ultimate goal of helping individuals and families quickly exit homelessness by obtaining housing for them. Experienced providers will use trauma-informed practices and motivational interviewing techniques to encourage program participants to take ownership of their housing plans and engage in frequent and regular meetings with program participants to address barriers to housing. Additionally, financial rent and move-in assistance necessary to support individuals and families obtain and maintain housing will be administered including, but not limited to: landlord incentives, security deposits including double or triple deposits, first or last month’s rent payment, credit check fees, moving expenses, utility deposits or utility arrears, rental application fees, and/or rental arrears impeding current ability to rent. It is the ultimate goal of the program to support every Project Roomkey participant with housing navigation services to support a continued transition from this temporary program to a more permanent placement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved this agreement. County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
The total cost of the original agreement is $3,601,213 and it remains unchanged. This Amendment #2 is due to a substantial scope of work change due to savings realized after the program was transferred to CHSP oversight, the addition of these services through this amendment will have no impact to the total cost of the agreement. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the need for this program could potentially extend beyond December 31, 2020. DSS and other County department partners continue to assess available current and future funding sources to reimburse and/or continue to fund the operations of this program while COVID-19 risks remain high, in order to prevent this vulnerable population from returning to homelessness upon program closure.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This agreement correlates to the Public Safety, Health & Human Services, and Administration Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by providing access to shelter to reduce risk and spread of COVID-19 to high risk individuals experiencing homelessness.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__ Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Lauren Suwansupa, CAM x8492
Approved by: Charles McKee, Chief Administrative Officer x5113
Attachments: Coalition of Homeless Services Providers Project Roomkey Agreement, Amendment #2
The proposed Agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report