Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to negotiate and execute an Agreement with the Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra for up to $167,305, which includes start-up costs, to temporarily expand shelter services for homeless women and provide a daytime activity program for shelter residents for the period of May 30, 2017 through October 31, 2017;
b. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to negotiate and execute an Agreement with Victory Mission for up to $58,090, which includes start-up costs, to expand shelter services for homeless men and provide a daytime activity program for shelter residents for the period of May 30, 2017 through October 31, 2017;
c. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to the respective agreements with the Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra and Victory Mission where the total contract amounts do not exceed ten percent (10%) of the respective original contract amounts, and which do not significantly change the scope of services; and,
d. Approve and authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget by increasing the Department of Social Services-Community Programs appropriation (001-5010-SOC004-8258) by $61,225, to be offset by a reduction of $61,225 to the appropriation for contingencies (001-1050-CAO020-8034) (4/5ths vote required). (ADDED VIA ADDENDUM)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to negotiate and execute an Agreement with the Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra for up to $167,305, which includes start-up costs, to temporarily expand shelter services for homeless women and provide a daytime activity program for shelter residents for the period of May 30, 2017 through October 31, 2017;
b. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to negotiate and execute an Agreement with Victory Mission for up to $58,090, which includes start-up costs, to expand shelter services for homeless men and provide a daytime activity program for shelter residents for the period of May 30, 2017 through October 31, 2017;
c. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three (3) amendments to the respective agreements with the Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra and Victory Mission where the total contract amounts do not exceed ten percent (10%) of the respective original contract amounts, and which do not significantly change the scope of services; and,
d. Approve and authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget by increasing the Department of Social Services-Community Programs appropriation (001-5010-SOC004-8258) by $61,225, to be offset by a reduction of $61,225 to the appropriation for contingencies (001-1050-CAO020-8034) (4/5ths vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Salinas Winter Warming Shelter is required to discontinue operations on May 30, 2017. At the Board meeting on May 2, 2017, direction was given to identify short-term alternative solutions to support shelter capacity prior to the closure of the Winter Warming Shelter. At the same time the direction was given to continue work to identify longer term solutions for both a winter warming shelters and permanent shelters.
To pursue this direction with very limited time, the Department of Social Services asked the Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra and Victory Mission, downtown Salinas shelter providers, if they could present proposals to address this immediate short term need. The tentative proposals by these providers were presented to the Board of Supervisors on May 16, 2017, and direction was provided to pursue their implementation while continuing efforts to find more permanent solutions.
The proposals from Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra and Victory Mission were to expand capacity in their existing facilities. Victory Mission has capacity for 20 additional men nightly within their existing shelter set-up and can expand capacity to serve 10 to 20 more homeless men by utilizing their chapel. The Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra can reopen the Women Alive program to shelter 10-16 women nightly and expand services into the dining hall to serve an additional 10-15 homeless women. Both providers also propose establishing daytime activities to offer shelter residents productive avenues to support purpose and readiness for transition to housing, suggested organized activities include neighborhood clean-up crews, security patrols, gardening and volunteering in the shelters.
It is also important to note that both shelter providers are adamant that expanded public safety efforts to eradicate criminal drug sales and sex worker trafficking is a critical element of their proposals. They note that the criminal environment breeds violence, exploitation and co-dependency of the poor; as well as serving as a deterrent to many who would otherwise use the valuable services and shelter that is available. While it is not in the County’s jurisdiction, the proposal suggests utilizing the vacant facility at 20 Soledad Street as a police substation.
To address the needs of families experiencing homelessness who are utilizing the Salinas Winter Warming Shelter while they wait for availability of housing, the Department of Social Services has been partnering with the Housing Resource Center to identify motel placements as an alternative to shelter while rapid rehousing through the CalWORKs Housing Support Program is pursued. As of May 17, 2017, 4 out of the 10 families who were at the shelter the night before have motel placements arranged. Due to the heavy demand on motels for agricultural workers, identifying motel options has its challenges.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This has been a collaborative effort between the Department of Social Services, the County Administrative Office - Office of Community Engagement and Strategic Advocacy, and community homeless providers. The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing will review and approve these agreements, and County Counsel will also approve each standard agreement as to form before the Department executes these agreements.
Moving forward the Department of Social Services will work with the Lead Me Home Leadership Council to establish more formal regional partnerships to address shelter needs that span Monterey County local jurisdictions. Additionally, the Department of Social Services will work with City of Salinas to promote continued partnership in funding the expenses for shelter solutions for Salinas residents.
FINANCING:
The estimated monthly cost for the temporary shelter solution is approximately $45,079 which includes expansion of services to include daytime activities and necessary support for facility readiness. The total estimated cost for services if extended for five (5) months would be $225,395. Costs for one month of services and start-up in Fiscal Year 2016-17 are $61,225. The remaining $164,170 would fall into Fiscal Year 2017-18.
The Department of Social Services does not have sufficient appropriations in the Fiscal Year 2016-17 budget and requires increased appropriations to cover these costs. Additionally, these costs for Fiscal 2017-18 were not included in the Department’s budget request. Since the recommended budget has already been balanced to available revenue, the Department of Social Services will work with the County Administrative Office to identify options for financing this expansion of services in Fiscal Year 2017-18. In exploring financing options, County staff will continue to work with the City of Salinas and other public and private to partners participate in this solution; however, given the urgency of addressing the pending closure of the Salinas Winter Warming Shelter these recommendations are being brought forward pending resolution of any cost sharing agreements. State and Federal subvention is not currently available to offset costs which are 100% funded through county General Fund Contributions.
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director, x4430