COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

Office of Housing

DATE:

May 27, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 24, 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 for the provision of homeless shelter operations for FY 2003-04

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing:

1. Waiver of the Request For Proposal process; and

2. Execution of an Agreement with Shelter Network for the administration and coordination of homeless shelter services for families and individuals; 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

Shelter Network has provided emergency shelter and/or transitional housing for homeless families and individuals in the County of San Mateo since 1987.

Shelter Network provides emergency assistance for up to 18 homeless families at a time through the operation of First Step for Families in San Mateo. In Redwood City Maple Street Shelter provides 30 beds of emergency shelter and 44 beds of transitional housing for homeless men and women. Shelter Network also provides case management services designed to help households move on to transitional housing or directly back to permanent housing.

Shelter Network also operates four transitional housing programs for over 150 families: Family Crossroads in Daly City, Haven Family House in Menlo Park, Redwood Family House in Redwood City and EPA House in East Palo Alto. All these programs provide homeless residents with a safe place to stay as well as extensive social services for two to six months.

The Bridges program provides longer-term support in scattered-site apartments and houses. Services provided include up to eighteen months of rental assistance for residents enrolled in job training.

Discussion

On May 6, 2003, the Board of Supervisors approved the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Action Plan for CDBG and ESG funding for FY 2003-04, which included funding for this Agreement. This past year Shelter Network has been successful in meeting its performance measures.

In FY 2001-02 the County conducted a formal Request for Proposal for the administration and coordination of an extended 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. Shelter Network is the only organization that utilizes their own facilities 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 from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004. Shelter Network’s emergency homeless shelter and services are included in the FY 2003-04 Office of Housing budget. The County’s total obligation is $475,225, of which $195,000 is funded from CDBG and ESG, $3,600 is from the CSAT grant, and $276,625 is from the General Fund.