COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

Office of Housing

 

DATE:

May 15, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 10, 2003

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Maureen Borland, Director, Human Services Agency

Steve Cervantes, Director, Office of Housing

   

SUBJECT:

Approve an Agreement with Shelter Network

 

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing:

    1. Waiver of the Request For Proposal process; and

 

    2. Execution of an Agreement with Shelter Network for:

    a. The administration and coordination of the Motel Voucher Program; and

    b. The administration and coordination of a Transitional Housing for Families with Special Needs Program; and

 

    3. The Director of the Human Services Agency to execute subsequent amendments and minor modifications not to exceed $25,000 per funding source.

 

Background

In FY 2001-02 the Human Services Agency and Shelter Network developed two pilot programs and processed them under two separate Agreements: The Motel Voucher and the Transitional Housing for Families in the Juvenile Court Dependency Programs.

 

The Motel Voucher Program was approved by the Board of Supervisors under Resolution # 65540 on September 10, 2002, to provide an immediate response and viable resource for families at the moment of becoming homeless. Client families receive solution oriented services as soon as they enter the program. The immediate attention to family homelessness has increased positive outcomes for these families and many are able to move into other accommodation within a few weeks. Families who need more time to resolve their barriers to stable housing are able to move into the emergency shelter and transitional housing when it becomes available through Shelter Network.

 

The Transitional Housing for Families in the Juvenile Court Dependency Program was approved by the Board of Supervisors under Resolution # 64543 on June 19, 2001, to provide safe support housing for parents who are in successful substance abuse recovery programs and whose children are court dependents.

 

Discussion

The Motel Voucher Program and the Transitional Housing for Special Needs Families are in the process of being amended for the purpose of transferring funds from one program to the other and both Programs will expire on June 30, 2003. Both Programs will be combined under this new Agreement starting FY 2003-04, in order to ensure a continuity of service to the families, and coordinated monitoring of the two components of contracted services.

 

The Motel Voucher Program has greatly exceeded the original estimate of serving 45 families, later changed to 170 and now estimated at 260 for fiscal year 2002-03. The Program offers emergency housing services for families and individuals working with the Human Services Agency.

 

The Transitional Housing for Families with Special Needs will cover a larger client population than the narrower focused Transitional Housing for Families in the Juvenile Court Dependency Program. In addition to serving clients in substance abuse recovery, the enhanced program encompasses families with multiple barriers to resolving housing and other issues who are in need of extended transitional housing and supportive services. This broader scope will result in more comprehensive services being delivered to a larger population of homeless families with special needs in San Mateo County.

 

Program participants for the Transitional Housing for Families with Special Needs will be identified through the Motel Voucher Program and by direct referrals from the Human Services Agency. Supportive transitional housing will be provided based on the family's needs and the Human Services Agency case plan.

 

In FY 2001-02 the County conducted a formal Request for Proposal for the administration and coordination of a Transitional Housing for Families with Special Needs Program. Shelter Network was the only organization that responded with a proposal. Also, the County has conducted business with Shelter Network to provide emergency shelter and transitional housing to families since 1987, because of Shelter Network's unique ability to provide services to homeless families throughout the County. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the County to continue contracting with Shelter Network, and that a Waiver be issued for FY 2003-04 on the basis of Shelter Network being a sole source provider in the County of San Mateo.

 

This Agreement has been reviewed and approved as to form by the County Counsel's Office.

Risk Management has reviewed and approved the Contractor's insurance coverage.

 

Vision Alignment

The Agreement with Shelter Network keeps the commitments of: Offering a full range of housing choices, and responsive, effective and collaborative government; and goals number 9 and 22: Housing exists for people at all income levels and for all generations of families: County and local governments effectively communicate, collaborate and develop strategic approaches to issues affecting the entire County. The Agreement with Shelter Network contributes to these commitments and goals through the cooperative efforts of public and private parties to advance the mutual goal of providing a continuum of housing opportunities for homeless families.

 

Fiscal Impact

The term of this Agreement is July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004. The total County obligation under this Agreement is $400,000, of which $190,000 is from CalWORKs, $120,000 from the Children & Family Services budget, and $90,000 is the Net County Cost which is included in the Recommended Budget for FY 2003-04.