Agenda Item No: L.1
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: December 3, 2024
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Unsheltered Street Outreach and Tenancy Support Services Presentation and Direction
Funding Source: $750,000; Homeless Services Division General Fund
Contact: April Cobb, (707) 428-7709
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive report, open discussion, and provide direction to staff.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The Homeless Services Division (HSD) in partnership with the Fairfield Police Department (FPD) and Fairfield Housing Services Department are seeking one or multiple organizations who have experience providing unsheltered street outreach, tenancy support services for the City’s Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA), an d housing navigation to those who are unhoused or at risk of being unhoused. Staff is seeking City Council direction, input and recommendation to enter contract with the two top ranking proposers for unsheltered outreach and tenancy support services.
DISCUSSION
On September 30, 2024, HSD released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Unsheltered Street Outreach and Tenancy Support Services. The total amount of funding available for this RFP is $950,000. Street Outreach positions are based on a three -year period with $250,000 in funding for each year through general funds. Tenancy Support Services is funded through State funds awarded to the Housing Services Department through Pro-housing Incentive Program with the program ending in February 2027. This RFP will have two separate contracts. HSD will oversee Unsheltered Street Outreach Services, and the Housing Services Department will provide oversight for the Tenancy Support Services.
The Outreach Team will play an important, on -the-ground role in connec ting vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness to vital community resources and services. The Outreach Team will consist of two full-time outreach workers focused on assisting unsheltered homeless individuals in the City of Fairfield.
The Tenancy Support Provider will help people, especially those with disabilities, find and maintain housing, often when transitioning from being unhoused or in institutional settings. This support service assists those who have been issued the TBRA voucher and housi ng in the City of Fairfield. Some other responsibilities might include confirming client eligibility, identifying support needs, assistance with recertification, other documents as required by TBRA and developing an individual housing support plan to maintain safe and stable tenancy after securing housing.
On October 23, 2024, HSD received four applications for Unsheltered Outreach Services and two applications for Tenancy Support Services. Of the four applications, one proposal was determined not to meet the requirements for unhoused street outreach or tenancy support services.
Outreach Services Total Amount Requested
Caminar $750,000
Change and New Beginnings (CANB) $750,000
Mission Samoa $200,000
Nuway Express $843,500
Tenancy Support Services Total Amount Requested
Caminar $200,000
Change and New Beginnings $200,000
On November 12, 2024, a Rank and Review Panel, consisting of HSD, Fairfield Police Department Homeless Intervention Team (HIT), Housing Services Department, Fairfield Fire Department, Public Works Homeless Engagement and Response Team (HEART), Community Development and an individual with lived experience in the City of Fairfield met by Zoom. The Panel independently reviewed and scored all applications following the scoring criteria as outlined in the RFP prior to the meeting. After meeting to discuss the applications, the Panel recommended funding Caminar for Tenancy Support Services.
Caminar and CANB were ranked as top two candidates for Unsheltere d Street Outreach. The Panel recommended an in-person interview with the two agencies for Unsheltered Street Outreach Services requesting a modified budget and to ask clarifying questions.
Unsheltered
Street Outreach
Services
Caminar CANB Missions Samoa Nuway
Initial Average
Score
82 73
0 Program not
eligible
36 Tenancy Support Services Caminar CANB
Initial Average Score 83 73
On November 14, 2024, the Rank and Review Panel conducted an in-person interview with the top two candidates (Caminar and CANB) for outreach services, consisting of HSD, HIT and the Housing Services Department to request modified budgets and ask clarifying questions regarding proposals. After the interviews, a rescore of the top two candidates was completed with Staff recommending Change and New Beginnings for Unsheltered Street Outreach Services.
Unsheltered Street Outreach
Services
Caminar CANB
Final Score 84 86
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This RFP will be funded by the General Fund, Homeless Services Division, for a total not -to-exceed amount of $750,000 for a three-year period and $200,000 State funds awarded to the Housing Services Department with funding period ending February 2027.
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
The council may choose alternative input, recommendation and direction for staff.
COORDINATED WITH
Community and Economic Development, Fire, Public Works, Police, and Housing Services.
STAFF CONTACT
April Cobb, Management Analyst
(707) 428-7609
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
N/A