DATE: June 24, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Susan L. Holt, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT: Access Agreement with California Department of Health Care Services for the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Access Agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services for the Behavioral Health Bridge Program ($0).
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), and any of their authorized representatives, access to the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) property pursuant to the Underlying Agreement by and between the Department of Behavioral Health (Department) and Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP). Although this item pertains to locations in District 1 and District 2, the impact is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended action, DHCS will terminate the BHBH services agreement with the County, which would result in the displacement of over 180 unhoused individuals.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action.
DISCUSSION:
Through the BHBH Program, DHCS will provide $1.5 billion in funding statewide to operate bridge housing to address the immediate and sustainable housing needs of people experiencing homelessness who have a serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorder (SUD). The BHBH Program, which was signed into law in September 2022 under Assembly Bill (AB) 179 (Ting, Chapter 249, Statutes of 2022), provides funding through June 30, 2027.
On February 21, 2023, DHCS released the initial non-competitive round of BHBH Program Request for Applications (RFA) that will provide $907,936,000 to California counties for use in the planning and implementation of bridge housing services for Californians experiencing homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions (a serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder). The maximum BHBH allocation for Fresno County is $21,833,333. The additional funding sources will come from Medi-Cal Federal Financial Participation and CalAIM Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports.
On April 27, 2023, the Department submitted an application to DHCS for the Non-Competitive BHBH Suspension of Competition with RH Community Builders, LP for a total of $21,833,333 and was approved by DHCS on September 5, 2023.
On November 28, 2023, the Board approved an Agreement No. 23-626 with DHCS for the Non-Competitive BHBH grant allocation for $21,833,333 (Underlying Agreement) and service Agreement No. 23-627 with RH Community Builders. Funds from the BHBH Program will be used for bridge housing to build collaboration, increase resources, and fill gaps by addressing the housing needs of individuals experiencing both homelessness and a serious behavioral health condition (SMI, SUD, or both).
Approval of the recommended action will execute an access agreement with DHCS and allow the County to comply with the requirements of the Underlying Agreement, which will provide DHCS and their authorized representatives (1) access to inspect BHBH properties and facilities; and (2) the information outlined in the Underlying Agreement to confirm Department compliance with BHBH program requirements and restrictions, as well as applicable Federal and State regulations.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The Behavioral Health Board was notified of this agreement at the June 2025 meeting.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #48, November 28, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - BHBH Access Agreement
CAO ANALYST:
Dylan McCully