CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: May 1, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Charles A. Montoya, City Manager;
Gabriel Elliott, Director of Community Development and
Housing
Department: Community Development & Housing
Subject: Approval of the Second Amendment to the
Professional Services Agreement with Hope the
Mission for Homeless Outreach Services
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino approve the Second Amendment to the Professional Service Agreement with Hope the Mission to extend the term of the agreement by one (1) year to oversee the City’s Homeless Outreach Project.
Executive Summary
This amendment will allow Hope the Mission one (1) additional year to continue Homeless Outreach efforts within the City. The budget approved in the original Professional Services Agreement was for two (2) years, so no budget amendment or adjustment will be needed.
Background
The City is plagued by homelessness and according to the 2022 Point in Time Count (PITC), 40% of the County’s homeless population reside within City limits. On December 7, 2022, the Mayor and City Council unanimously agreed to allocate $24.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds towards homeless initiatives of which, $1.5 Million was directed towards homeless outreach. In February 2023, Staff released a Request for Proposal (RFP) in search of a qualified homeless outreach lead operator. In order to expand the reach of qualified candidates, the City used Planet Bids, which is a web-based vendor portal that ensures a streamlined procurement and electronic bidding process. Planet Bids also provides a secure and transparent format.
To ensure that local agencies and non-profits were made aware of the City’s RFP release, notifications were sent out to the County’s Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) and the Central Valley Homeless Provider Network, which issued a County-wide mass email alert. There was a total of five (5) agencies/candidates who responded to the Homeless Outreach RFP and submissions were evaluated in mid- March.
Two (2) agencies advanced to the final selection process (one local and one non-local) and on April 11, 2023, a tentative award letter was issued to the successful applicant, Hope the Mission, formally known as Hope of the Valley.
All candidates were required to demonstrate their ability to secure and maintain qualified staffing levels, highlight their experience working with unhoused individuals, particularly those who have underlying physical and/or mental health conditions, demonstrate their knowledge of trauma-informed care and “Housing First” practices and be able to quickly connect to the County’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). The City of San Bernardino, per the approve from the Mayor and City Council, entered into a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Hope the Mission for Homeless Outreach Services. The agreement was approved for one (1) year with an option to extend one (1) year with Council’s approval to continue services within the City.
Discussion
Experience
Hope the Mission (HTM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 2009. The organization started as a grassroots agency providing “boots to the ground” homeless outreach and service connections to unhoused residents. It also has nearly fourteen (14) years of experience providing supportive services to unhoused families and members of the Transitionally Aged Youth (TAY) community throughout multiple counties. HTM currently oversees a diverse portfolio of homeless housing projects that include six (6) tiny home villages, three (3) adult congregate shelters, one (1) men's recovery program, one (1) residential re-entry program, two (2) family residential shelters, one (1) navigation center and a residential shelter for transitional-aged youth as well as various outreach programs throughout multiple counties.
Competence
HTM has the appropriate operational, procedural, and staffing infrastructure to ensure comprehensive and effective service provision, contract compliance, data management, outcome reporting, and fiscal management efficiently. HTM intends to prioritize a local workforce with lived experience who have first-hand insight into the development and provision of homeless related services. HTM has start-up operating reserves, which will allow the organization to set up shop, gather resources and initiate the hiring and training of workers to provide street level support in a quick and efficient manner. HTM will establish a dedicated homeless outreach phone line for the public and calls will be returned within 24 hours.
Homeless Outreach Team
The outreach team will consist of eight (8) full-time employees (FTE): one (1) FTE Program Manager, two (2) FTE Peer Specialists, two (2) FTE Case Managers, two (2) FTE SUD counselors, and one (1) FTE Data Coordinator. Workers will be able to support substance use disorder services, mental health services, and engage with clients on a peer level. Outreach workers will be equipped with vehicles, phones, tablets, and client-related supplies that include food, water, hygiene kits, blankets, tents, emergency kits, and client clothing to provide the best engagement services.
HTM plans to deploy its homeless outreach team 7 days a week to support the local community. HTM’s contract went into effect June 1, 2023, with Council’s approval with two (2), one (1) year options to extend the Agreement.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Approval of the Professional Service Agreement with Hope the Mission aligns with Strategic Target and Goals No. 3, Improved Quality of Life because homeless outreach will help to improve the lives of unhoused residents and alleviate the negative impact homelessness has on the community. This action will also provide the following:
•Reduces the burden of homelessness through engagement, collaboration, and community partnerships.
•Minimizes the risk of litigation from homeless advocates. •Connecting unhoused individuals with housing options and resources will significantly help to improve the overall attractiveness, appearance, and cleanliness of public spaces such as parks, downtown areas, and business districts.
Fiscal Impact
There is no General Fund fiscal impact associated with this report. On December 7, 2022, Council approved $1.5 million in ARPA funds to create a city-wide homeless outreach team. The original agreement was approved with a two-year budget. This amendment is to extend the term from one year to two years to complete their Outreach Services. As of November 2022, Hope the Mission as expended $176,830 of their agreement.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino approve the Second Amendment to the Professional Service Agreement with Hope the Mission to extend the term of the agreement by one (1) year to oversee the City’s Homeless Outreach Project.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Hope the Mission Homeless Street Outreach PSA Attachment 2 First Amendment to the Homeless Street Outreach PSA
Attachment 3 Second Amendment to the Homeless Street Outreach PSA
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
August 4, 2021 Mayor and City Council received a report and discussed the allocation of ARPA funds.
December 7, 2022 Mayor and City Council approved the use of ARPA funds in the amount of $1.5million to create a city-wide Homeless Outreach Team.
February 1, 2023 Mayor and City Council approved a Homelessness State of Emergency Declaration.
May 17, 2023 Mayor and City Council approved the Professional Services Agreement with Hope the Mission for Outreach Services.
June 26, 2023 Mayor and City Council approved Amendment #1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Hope the Mission.