COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

DATE:

September 15, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 27, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Glen H. Brooks, Jr., Interim Director, Human Services Agency

Stephen Kaplan, Northern Region Director

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Shelter Network for the Motel Voucher Program and Transitional Housing for Families with Special Needs Program

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

1.

Waiving the Request for Proposal (RFP) Process;

2.

Authorizing the execution of an Agreement with Shelter Network in the total amount of $416,120 for the Motel Voucher Program and Transitional Housing for Families with Special Needs Program, for the term of July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006; and

3.

Authorizing the Director of the Human Services Agency to

a) Execute subsequent Amendments and minor modifications not to exceed an aggregate of $25,000 per funding source, and

b) Make changes in the types of services and activities provided by the Contractor, provided that the changes have no impact on the County’s maximum fiscal obligation.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Offer a full range of housing choices.

Goals Number 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):

Data is currently in development for new Outcome Based Management (OBM) measures. Services will include recruitment and retention of participating motels, negotiation of rates of payments vouchers services.

Measure

FY 2005-06

Number of Clients managed and coordinated through the Motel Voucher Program

To be developed

BACKGROUND:

The County has conducted business with Shelter Network, through the Department of Housing, to provide emergency shelter and transitional housing to families since 1987. The Motel Voucher and the Transitional Housing for Special Needs Families Programs were combined starting with FY 2003-04.

DISCUSSION:

This Agreement with Shelter Network provides funding for the Motel Voucher Program and Transitional Housing for Families with Special Needs Program. Based on Shelter Network’s unique ability to provide services to homeless families throughout the County, it is considered to be in the County’s best interest to continue contracting with Shelter Network through the Human Services Agency.

Shelter Network is the only shelter and transitional housing program for families in San Mateo County that has adequate staffing and Countywide resources to meet the County's need in providing the services associated with this Agreement. Shelter Network was approved through the NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) process conducted by the Department of Housing and was recommended for funding by the Housing and Community Development Committee (HCDC) for inclusion in the FY 2005-06 CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Action Plan. On May 3, 2005, the Board of Supervisors approved Shelter Network of San Mateo County for inclusion in the CDBG Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2005-06.

This program serves an extensive population of individuals with multiple barriers who are in great need of transitional housing and supportive services. The Motel Voucher Program and the Transitional Housing for Families with Special Needs Programs have surpassed Shelter Network’s goal of families and individuals to be served while under contract with the Department of Housing.

This Agreement was delayed due to the extended negotiations with the Contractor and resulting from the separation of the Department of Housing and the Human Services Agency.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The total obligation under this Agreement is $416,120 and the term is July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006. Breakdown for funding is as follows: (1) $90,000 is funded through Children and Family Services, (2) $100,000 is funded through CalWORKs, and (3) $226,120 is budgeted Net County Cost. The appropriation for this Agreement is included in the Recommended Budget for FY 2005-06.