COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Housing

DATE:

June 17, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

July 12, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Maureen Borland, Interim Director, Department of Housing

SUBJECT:

Approve an Agreement with Shelter Network for the provisions of Homeless Shelter Operations for FYs 2005-07

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing:

1. The Execution of an Agreement with Shelter Network of San Mateo County, in the amount of $195,000.00 for homeless shelter operations for families and individuals. The term of the Agreement is July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2007, and

2. The Director of the Department of Housing to execute subsequent amendments and

minor modifications not to exceed $25,000 per funding source.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitments: Offer a full range of housing choices, and Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goals 9 and 22: Housing exists for people at all income levels and for all generations of families and 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.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05
Actual

FY 2005-06
Projected

# of Persons Served by the Shelter

1,950

1,950

# of Households Served by the Shelter

1,050

1,050

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) for inclusion in the FY 2005-06 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan. On May 3, 2005, the Board of Supervisors approved the Shelter Network for inclusion in the CDBG Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2005-06. Funding for Fiscal Year 2006-07 will be based on availability of Funds and approval of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) for that year.

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 departmental transition.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of this Agreement is from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2007. The County's total obligation is $195,000, of which, $120,221 is from the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) and $74,779 is from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). There is no Net County Cost under this Agreement.

The program and monitoring of Shelter Network's emergency homeless shelter and services fall under the Homeless and Safety Net Services of the Human Services Agency. Funds will be transferred from Budget Unit 79210 to Budget Unit 71140 on a reimbursement basis.

Revenue and Appropriations are included in both the Department of Housing and the Human Services Agency Recommended Budget for FY 2005-06 and FY 2006-07. Funding for FY 2006-07 will be based on availability of CDBG and ESG funds.