COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

DATE:

July 28, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

September 12, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

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

Stephen Kaplan, Director, Northern Region, Substance Abuse and Shelter Services

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Human Investment Project

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

A.

Waiving the Request for Proposal (RFP) process;

B.

Authorizing the execution of an Agreement with the Human Investment Project (HIP Housing) to provide the Self-Sufficiency and Home Sharing Programs for the term of July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007, in the amount of $333,700; and

C.

Authorizing the Director of the Human Services Agency to execute subsequent amendments and minor modifications not to exceed an aggregate of $25,000, and to make minor changes in the types of services and activities provided under the Agreement.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Offer a full range of housing choices.

Goal Number 9: Housing exits for people at all income levels and for all generations of families. This action contributes to this commitment and goal by offering mid-term housing assistance to low-income individuals highly motivated to achieving an economic level relatively free of dependence on conventional forms of public assistance.

PERFORMANCE MEASURE(S):

Measure

FY 2005-06
Actual

FY 2006-07
Projections

Number of clients receiving housing resources and supportive services.

N/A

40 - 50

Number of clients receiving placements in affordable housing units through the Home Sharing Program.

N/A

230

BACKGROUND:

HIP Housing administered the Self-Sufficiency Program (SSP) as a result of one of the Human Services Agency’s “SUCCESS” subcommittees that convened in the mid -1990s in anticipation of Welfare Reform. The SSP’s main goal is to continue to be the short-term shallow housing subsidy offered to assist highly motivated clients desiring to move from welfare dependence toward economic self-sufficiency. The housing subsidies are, “Housing Scholarships” that require client participation in an intensive case-management program promoting self-sufficiency. The Home Sharing program provides assistance in finding permanent affordable housing. Follow-up contacts with clients are made twice a year and/or quarterly if the home provider is a senior (this service is called match follow-up). Mediation services are also made available if there is a dispute between client and landlord. The Home Sharing Program provides the dual benefit of creating affordable rental situations for lower income households and providing additional income for lower income homeowners with surplus living space.

DISCUSSION:

HIP Housing has been engaged in providing housing services in San Mateo County for a number of years. HIP Housing participated in developing the case management and housing component of the “Moving to Work Program”, in partnership with the San Mateo County Department of Housing and the Human Services Agency. These programs provide housing resources and supportive services to low-income families. The mission of the program is to create stability for clients in order to promote job achievement, retention and advancement through the provision of housing resources and supportive services, thereby enabling participants to reach and maintain self-sufficiency.

The request to waive the RFP process is due to the service provider’s response to the County’s Notification of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Fiscal Year 2006-07. As a result, HIP Housing qualified to receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding by the Board of Supervisors, on May 2, 2006. Therefore, it is in the County’s best interest to continue with this Contractor so that there is no interruption of services to the community. This Agreement is delayed due to extended negotiation time with the Contractor.

The contractor has assured compliance with the County’s Contractor Employee Jury Services Ordinance, as well as all other contract provisions that are required by County ordinance and administrative memoranda, including but not limited to insurance, hold harmless, non-discrimination and equal benefits..

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of this Agreement is July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. The total obligation is $333,700, of which $83,700 is funded through CDBG which will be added to the September revisions, and $250,000 is funded through CalWORKS, which is included in the tentatively Adopted Budget for FY 2006-07. There is no Net County Cost.