COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

August 12, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

August 31, 2004

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 2004-05

Recommendation

Adopt a Resolution authorizing:

1. Execution of an Agreement with Shelter Network, in the amount of $472,525 for the term of July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005, for the administration and coordination of homeless shelter services for families and individuals; and

2. 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 39 homeless families at a time through the operation of First Step for Families in San Mateo. In Redwood City, Shelter Network operates the Maple Street Shelter which 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 families move to transitional housing or directly to permanent housing.

Shelter Network 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.

Also, Shelter Network operates the Bridges program which 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

The Shelter Network applied for funding through the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and was recommended for funding by the Housing and Community Development Committee (HCDC) Committee for inclusion in the FY 2004-05 CDBG Action Plan. On May 4, 2004, the Board of Supervisors approved the Shelter Network for inclusion in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2004-05.

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. Shelter Network has always been successful in meeting its contracted goals.

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. This Agreement is late due to extended negotiating time.

Vision Alignment

The Agreement with Shelter Network keeps the commitments of: Offer a full range of housing choices, and Responsive, effective and collaborative government; and goals number 9: Housing exists for people at all income levels and for all generations of families and 22: 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, 2004 through June 30, 2005. The County’s total obligation is $472,525, of which $71,393 is Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), $123,607 is Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), $900 is from CSAT grant, and $276,625 is Net County Cost. Shelter Network’s Emergency Homeless Shelter and Services are included in the Office of Housing Recommended Budget for FY 2004-05.