DATE: April 14, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Delfino E. Neira, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Retroactive Agreement for Emergency Shelter Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with Poverello House for Emergency Shelter Services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective March 26, 2020, which includes a 60-day base contract and four optional 30-day extensions, total not to exceed $295,296.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department of Social Services to provide 34 emergency shelter beds, as well as meals to those sheltering in local motels due to the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Shelter for persons experiencing homelessness is intended to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Should the Board elect not to approve the recommended action, the beds would not be available to those experiencing homelessness during the shelter-in-place orders, and emergency State and Federal funds intended to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 in the homeless population would be returned to the State.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The COVID-19 outbreak requires immediate action to provide emergency shelter services to the County’s vulnerable unsheltered homeless population. The recommended agreement is retroactive to March 26, 2020, when Poverello House began providing the additional services to the County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The maximum cost of the recommended agreement is $295,296 and will be offset with State COVID-19 Emergency Homelessness funds. There is no matching contribution requirement for this funding. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues will be in the Department’s COVID19 Emergency Homelessness Special Revenue Fund Org 1135 and the Department’s Org 5610 FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget and if necessary, will be included in subsequent budget requests. Should there be a gap in funding to provide these services, the Department would request additional COVID-19 emergency homelessness funds from the State. Expenditures to date are approximately $25,000 and will be paid upon approval of the Agreement.
DISCUSSION:
On March 15, 2020, the County’s Emergency Services Director/County Administrative Officer proclaimed a local emergency related to COVID-19. On March 17, 2020, your Board ratified the proclamation of a local emergency related to COVID-19. The Department has received guidance from the State and Federal government regarding aiding unsheltered homeless and those living in large shelter settings who are particularly susceptible to COVID-19. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department recognizes the need to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and implement measures to ensure that people experiencing homelessness have access to safe and adequate shelter during this time. The recommended agreement is one of a number of agreements that will be brought before your Board in order to provide shelter and services to the homeless population. Similarly, Agreement No. 20-126 for shelter services with RH Community Builders was approved by your Board on March 24, 2020.
Poverello House was selected for these services due to their ability to quickly add 34 beds to their existing shelter, and their ability to cater meals for homeless individuals that are being isolated in motels due to COVID-19. The Poverello House facility is located at 412 F Street, in downtown Fresno; guests receive three meals per day while staying at the shelter. Additionally, two meals per day will be provided for those sheltering at a hotel, at the direction of the County (contracted hotels will generally provide breakfast). Meals will be provided for individuals requiring isolation during COVID-19 for the safety of themselves and the community.
If approved, the recommended action will enable the Department to expand emergency shelter and food service available during the COVID-19 State of Emergency and mitigate the risks of transmission among the unsheltered homeless population. The agreement may be terminated without cause by either party upon providing 30-day day advance written notice.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #10.2 - March 24, 2020
BAI #2 - March 17, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Poverello House for Emergency Shelter
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa