TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute contracts, and any necessary documents including subgrants or subsequent amendments, with Family Promise of the South Bay, of Torrance, CA; The Illumination Foundation, of Orange, CA; Mental Health America of Los Angeles, of Long Beach, CA; and People Assisting the Homeless, of Los Angeles, CA, to provide intensive case management services for individuals and families who are matched with Emergency Housing Vouchers through the Long Beach Coordinated Entry System, for a total annual aggregate amount not to exceed $1,533,320 for a period of one year, with the option to renew for one additional one-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into contracts with Family Promise of the South Bay (Family Promise), Illumination Foundation, Mental Health America of Los Angeles (Mental Health America), and People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), to provide intensive case management services for individuals and families who are matched with Emergency Housing Vouchers through the Long Beach Coordinated Entry System.
The City of Long Beach (City) Housing Authority was awarded 582 Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) as authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The EHVs are provided to assist individuals and families who are: (1) homeless, (2) at risk of homelessness, (3) fleeing or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, or (4) recently homeless. The federal distribution of EHVs have no supportive services attached; therefore, the City facilitated the procurement for intensive case management services to provide comprehensive support for program participants who are matched with an EHV to obtain permanent housing and other wraparound services.
On July 6, 2021, the Health and Human Services Department released a Request for Proposals (RFP) HSB-2021-003 to procure intensive case management services. The City facilitated an open and competitive solicitiation process to quickly augment the EHVs authorized by ARPA with intensive case management services in compliance with obligations under the City’s Continuum of Care (CoC) Program. The RFP was advertised through the Homeless Services Bureau website, and an email was sent to the City’s CoC general membership to notify them of the funding opportunity. A total of nine proposals were submitted by the August 2, 2021 deadline, and all were reviewed by the evaluation committee consisting of representatives from the CoC Board and Homeless Services Advisory Committee. The evaluation committee found Family Promise, Illumination Foundation, Mental Health America, and PATH as the most qualified agencies to provide intensive case management services. Intensive case management services specified in the scope of work of RFP No. HSB-2021-003 include housing navigation, individualized housing plans, care coordination, annual recertifications, health linkages, transportation, legal support, housing retention, financial assistance, food services, and utilization of the Long Beach Homeless Management Information System.
Funding for these subcontracts comes from State funding sources for the estimated total amount not to exceed $1,533,320 for all agencies contracted to provide intensive case management services. The City reserves the discretion to amend the subcontracts awarded through this agreement contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of funds, demonstrated need, and project outcomes.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on October 11, 2021, Purchasing Agent Michelle Wilson on October 8, 2021, and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on October 25, 2021.
EQUITY STATEMENT
The City has incorporated the Equity Toolkit and strategies outlined in the Everyone Home Long Beach plan into this recommendation as requested by City Council. This recommendation will assist people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach by providing critical case management resources to stabilize retention and pathways into permanent housing, particularly for households affected by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on November 9, 2021, to ensure contracts are in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total annual aggregate amount will not exceed $1,533,320, offset by grant revenue. Homeless Housing Assistance Prevention grant funding from the State of California will be used to fund subcontract services. Sufficient funds are currently appropriated in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. A positive job impact is anticipated as the awarded agencies are expected to hire new full-time employees to manage their intensive case management services programs.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER