Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign Amendment #3 to the Agreement with the City of Salinas to provide non-congregate shelter, wrap around services, and rapid re-housing to individuals experiencing homelessness, extending the term by eight months, for a revised term of July 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024, and increasing the amount by $543,663.83 for a revised total Agreement amount of $3,846,970.75; and
b. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three future amendments where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($384,697) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work, not to exceed the maximum of $4,231,667.75.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign Amendment #3 to the Agreement with the City of Salinas to provide non-congregate shelter, wrap around services, and rapid re-housing to individuals experiencing homelessness, extending the term by eight months, for a revised term of July 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024, and increasing the amount by $543,663.83 for a revised total Agreement amount of $3,846,970.75; and
b. Authorize the Director or Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services to sign up to three future amendments where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($384,697) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work, not to exceed the maximum of $4,231,667.75.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The proposed amendment would transition the Project Roomkey (PRK) in Monterey County in collaboration with the City of Salinas (City) from a COVID-19 response program to an emergency non-congregate shelter program, extend the program through March 2024 and add unspent County American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds originally intended for Project Roomkey in FY2022-23 to roll over into FY 2023-24 operations. The project began November 2021 and is currently operating in a motel in Salinas, CA. The City is providing program oversight by coordinating procedures, enforcing program guidelines and providing any other administration of daily operations. Services are subcontracted to the same experienced partners involved in the previous program and include intensive case management and housing navigation for those staying in the motel rooms. Case management services are provided by California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) Community Health and Engagement (CHE) and include engagement, housing preparation, stabilization, and crisis planning. The CHE case managers also serve as the point of contact between the households and Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL), who provides rapid rehousing services to transition from a motel room to permanent housing or an alternative housing project.
The Project Roomkey initiative was created to provide non-congregate shelter options (e.g., hotels, motels, trailers) to individuals experiencing homelessness who also have high-risk factors for severe illness from COVID-19. As the priority need for COVID-19 response has significantly decreased, Monterey County continues to have almost no vacant beds available in the shelter system. The extension of this program would continue services through March 31, 2024, which is the current term of the City of Salinas service agreement and de-emphasize the priority for COVID-19 response. The program would continue to operate as a temporary service, prioritizing high-need and chronically homeless individuals, with the continued goal of navigating participants into permanent housing options, such as Project Homekey.
The City of Salinas continues to commit City American Rescue Plan Act funding as well as Encampment Resolution Grant funds towards this project. This collaboration is essential as Monterey County’s contribution would not sustain the costs of operating the program as the City’s ongoing contributions will now make up approximately 65% of the overall operational budget. By continuing this collaboration, the program will continue to be open to all residents of Monterey County, rather than City of Salinas residents only.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Department of Social Services has collaborated with the City of Salinas, CSUMB Community Health and Engagement, Central Coast Center for Independent Living, and the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers to operate and support this program. The Auditor-Controller and Purchasing have reviewed and approved this Agreement. County Counsel has approved the Agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
This Amendment is funded through County American Rescue Plan Act funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Community Programs 001-5010-SOC004-8258 FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget.
The City of Salinas intends to commit up to $1.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act and Encampment Resolution Grant funding towards this project.
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 non-congregate shelter to reduce the 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
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Lauren Suwansupa, Community Affiliation Manager, x8492
Approved by: Lori A. Medina, Director, x4430
Attachment: Original Agreement
Amendment #1
Amendment #2
Proposed Amendment #3
The proposed agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.