DATE: June 24, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreement with Poverello House for Project-Based Rapid Rehousing
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Poverello House for Project-Based Rapid Rehousing services at Monte Vista Terrace, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, which includes a one-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions, total not to exceed $1,770,000.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The recommended action will allow the Department to continue providing Rapid Rehousing assistance and related supportive services to eligible families experiencing homelessness. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board elect not to approve the recommended action, families experiencing homelessness will not receive the assistance they need to become self-sufficient and may return to homelessness.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The services at Monte Vista Terrace will be funded by the Housing and Urban Development Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and the California Department of Housing and Community Development Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant funds. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
On September 19, 2023, the County entered into an agreement with the Fresno Housing Authority to provide a 42-unit housing project to house families experiencing homelessness through a Project-Based Rapid Rehousing Program. RH Community Builders (RHCB) provided the necessary Case Management and Housing Navigation services at this site under an existing agreement which expired on June 30, 2024. On June 4, 2024, the County entered into an agreement with RHCB via a suspension of competition, to continue providing these services with a one-year term, allowing time to complete the procurement process and establish continued services.
On January 30, 2025, the County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 25-053 for Case Management for a Project-Based Rapid Rehousing Program. The RFP notice was sent to vendors registered in Public Purchase and vendors on a Bidder’s list generated by the Department. This resulted in approximately 31 potential bidders accessing the RFP documents. The response period closed on March 3, 2025, and three proposals were received from the following vendors:
1. Poverello House ($1,770,000)
2. RH Community Builders ($3,003,782)
3. Turning Point of Central California ($2,265,699)
All three proposals were deemed responsive by County Purchasing and provided to the Review Committee.
The County’s Review Committee was composed of representatives from the Departments of Social Services, Behavioral Health, the County Administrative Office, the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care (FMCoC), and the FMCoC Lived Experience Advisory Board. The Review Committee evaluated each proposal based on the requirements of the RFP, including bidder capability, qualifications, and accessibility to clients. Poverello House was ranked highest by the members of the Review Committee.
The recommended agreement with Poverello House would allow for Case Management and Housing Navigation services to continue at the Monte Vista Terrace site. These services include assisting families who are experiencing homelessness with credit repair, rental assistance, and resume building classes while addressing any additional barriers to obtaining permanent housing. The services at Monte Vista Terrace will target families who meet HHAP and ESG criteria, receiving referrals from the FMCoC Coordinated Entry System as required by the funding sources. The goal of the program is to provide short-term rental assistance and services to assist families in obtaining their own permanent housing, increase their self-sufficiency and remain housed.
If approved, the recommended agreement will be effective July 1, 2025 and expire June 30, 2028. The agreements may be terminated without cause by either party upon providing 30-day advance written notice. The term set forth in the recommended agreement matches the remaining term length of the existing Board agreement with Fresno Housing Authority for use of the apartment complex.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #61 September 19, 2023
BAI #47 June 4, 2024
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Poverello House
CAO ANALYST:
Dylan McCully