DATE: February 25, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Agreements for CalWORKs Housing Support Program Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with the Housing Authority of the City of Fresno, effective March 1, 2020, which includes a 15-month base contract and two optional 12-month extensions, total not to exceed $2,034,000.
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc., effective March 1, 2020, which includes a 15-month base contract and two optional 12-month extensions, total not to exceed $1,300,000.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department of Social Services to provide California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Housing Support Program (HSP) services to eligible families experiencing homelessness. Services are funded with CalWORKs HSP funds, with no Net County Cost. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. If the recommended actions are not approved, CalWORKs HSP services will discontinue for homeless CalWORKs families until a new method for service delivery is developed. Additionally, the Department will not have sufficient time to expend the full allocation for FY 2019-20, which could result in a decrease to future CalWORKs HSP allocations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum compensation for the recommended agreements, $2,034,000 and $1,300,000, will be entirely offset with the CalWORKs HSP annual allocation. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget and will be included in subsequent budget requests through the term’s duration.
DISCUSSION:
CalWORKs HSP is a program for families receiving CalWORKs assistance who are experiencing homelessness. The program provides eligible families with temporary shelter, case management, housing financial assistance, and housing location services, and is designed to rapidly move families from homelessness into safe permanent housing. HSP services are funded through a yearly allocation from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). HSP services have been in place in the County since 2015 through a contracted partnership with the Housing Authority of the County of Fresno.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) for HSP services was released September 25, 2019 and closed on October 30, 2019. Three bids were received, and all three were deemed responsive by the Internal Services Department - Purchasing Division. On November 22, 2019, a review committee composed of representatives from the Department (including two Program Managers and one Staff Analyst), a Principal Administrative Analyst from the Administrative Office, and an Administrative Analyst from the County of Madera Department of Social Services met and reviewed the bids.
The bid from Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc. (CLFA) was ranked first and recommended for funding by the review committee. However, upon further review of the CLFA proposal, the Department chose to negotiate to contract with both CLFA and the second-ranked bidder, the Housing Authority of the City of Fresno (Fresno Housing Authority/FHA). Sufficient funding is available to support the top two proposals and develop services in the rural areas, including Selma and Kerman.
The recommended agreements include more robust performance outcomes and greater alignment with CDSS funding recommendations. Additionally, due to existing infrastructure in the rural areas, CLFA will focus on rural services, while FHA will serve metro area residents. The review committee was informed of the change, and the majority were in concurrence. The Internal Services Department - Purchasing Division has been consulted and is also in concurrence with the Department’s direction.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #46, August 20, 2019
BAI #56, April 9, 2019
BAI #58, June 6, 2017
BAI #72, May 24, 2016
BAI #47, February 24, 2015
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Housing Authority of the City of Fresno
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc.
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa