DATE: June 30, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nerland, County Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: Retroactive Agreement with RH Community Builders
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Under Administrative Policy No. 34 for competitive bids or requests for proposals (AP 34), determine that an exception to the competitive bidding requirement under AP 34 is satisfied and a suspension of competition is warranted due to unusual or extraordinary circumstances, and that the best interests of the County would be served by entering into an agreement with RH Community Builders as the vendor is uniquely qualified to immediately provide comprehensive homeless services from street outreach through rapid rehousing; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with RH Community Builders for comprehensive homeless services from street outreach to rapid rehousing, effective June 22, 2026, through June 30, 2027, total not to exceed $550,000.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions will waive the competitive bid process and approve a retroactive agreement with RH Community Builders (RHCB) to provide comprehensive homeless services from street outreach to rapid rehousing to households in Fresno and Madera counties that are at-risk of or experiencing homelessness. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board elect not to approve the recommended actions, the County will be at risk of forfeiting approximately $550,000 of current funding and decreased future funding which could be used to end homelessness in the region.
SUSPENSION OF COMPETITION/SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT:
It is requested that the County find under Administrative Policy No. 34 that an exception to the competitive bidding requirement is satisfied, and a suspension of competition is warranted due to unusual or extraordinary circumstances as RHCB is uniquely positioned to leverage available motel rooms at The Flats, California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Housing Navigation and Community Supports, as well as their extensive experience with State and Federal funding and the homelessness Coordinated Entry System to immediately address households’ episodes of homelessness while utilizing available funding by the expenditure deadlines, helping to ensure future funding for homeless services and meaningful services to the community.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended Agreement is retroactive to June 22, 2026, as RHCB is able to immediately begin providing services through the proposed agreement as of June 22, 2026. County Purchasing determined that the Agreement must be approved by your Board rather than through delegated purchasing authority due to the number of County contracts already in place with RHCB.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum cost of the recommended Agreement ($550,000) will be fully offset with existing California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and round 4 of the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP). Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be included in the Department’s Org 5428 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests. The anticipated funding committed during the retroactive period of this agreement is estimated at approximately $5,000 for the cost of staff time to set up the projects in the Homeless Data Information System and identify prioritized clients for immediate services through the Coordinated Entry System.
DISCUSSION:
On July 18, 2023, the Board approved the application and funding plan for round 4 of HHAP funding on behalf of the County and Fresno Madera Continuum of Care (FMCoC). This plan included funding for Rapid Rehousing Services through June 30, 2027.
On October 7, 2025, your Board approved the standard agreement for ESG funding administered by HCD, on behalf of the FMCoC. On May 19, 2025, your Board approved an amendment to a second round of ESG to the existing agreement.
The Office of Housing and Homelessness (OHH) is continually evaluating homelessness funding and expenditures to ensure full spending on meaningful services as well as the need for new services in the community through data review, participation in various stakeholder meetings, and collaboration with partner jurisdictions. While the County has made significant investments in street outreach, emergency shelter, and rapid rehousing rental assistance, the ESG and HHAP 4 funds, which are currently underspent, present an opportunity to assist clients experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the non-entitlement areas of the FMCoC service area, including Clovis, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Huron, Parlier, San Joaquin, and Madera County, and connect them to permanent housing with rental assistance and other supports to increase income such as employment connections and advocacy for benefits. This pilot is designed to serve approximately 50 households experiencing homelessness through street outreach and stay with them through emergency shelter, permanent housing, and program exit, leveraging all appropriate community resources along the way.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #25, May 19, 2026
BAI #50, October 7, 2025
BAI #67, July 18, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Suspension of Competition Acquisition Request Form
On file with Clerk - Agreement with RHCB
CAO ANALYST:
Dylan McCully