Subject:
Title
Agreements with St. Vincent de Paul CARES, Inc. and 211 Tampa Bay Cares d/b/a First Contact for Rapid Rehousing Service Provider and Rapid Rehousing Fiscal Administration Collaborative Rapid Rehousing Program, respectively.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of agreements with St. Vincent de Paul CARES, Inc. and 211 Tampa Bay Cares d/b/a First Contact for the Rapid Rehousing Service Provider (RRSP) and Rapid Rehousing Fiscal Administration (RRFA) services for the County’s collaborative Rapid Rehousing Program, respectively.
• These agreements will provide RRSP services, including housing navigation and case management services for individuals and families with minor-aged children experiencing homelessness, and RRFA services to administer the collaborative direct assistance funding pool established by the Human Services Department (County) and the City of St. Petersburg (City).
• Five firms submitted proposals. Following written evaluations, the two top-ranked firms are recommended for the award to continue partnerships with the City, the Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas, and the local Continuum of Care governing body.
• The initial term of both agreements is thirty-six months, with a service start date of October 1, 2026, in the total contract amount of $3,999,303.74 including the County’s direct service funding pool.
• Funding for this agreement is included in the Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget for Human Services within the General Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget.
Contracts 26-0449-RFP for a combined total amount of $3,999,303.74, effective October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029; Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
2.2 Enhance community safety.
Summary:
Summary
These agreements provide rapid re-housing services, including case management, housing navigation, and support services to unhoused County residents and families with minor-aged children, in collaboration with the County, the city, the HLA, and the local Continuum of Care (COC) governing body. Referrals into the program will continue to be coordinated through the HLA’s Coordinated Entry System (CES).
The agreements also provide fiscal administration services to administer the collaborative direct assistance funding pool established by the County and the City. Responsibilities include processing payments to landlords, reconciliation of funds, and collecting, reviewing, and maintaining all documentation necessary for the verification, processing, and approval of Rapid Rehousing assistance funds.
Body
Background Information:
An RFP was released on March 24, 2026, resulting in five (5) responsive submittals. Negotiations were completed on July 24, 2026. The contract has a term of thirty-six (36) months beginning October 1, 2026.
Fiscal Impact:
Total estimated RRSP expenditure not to exceed: $1,819,303.74
Total estimated RRFH expenditure not to exceed: $2,180,000.00
Total Expenditure Not to exceed: $3,999,303.74
This amount is included in the proposed Human Services FY27 General Fund budget. RRFA estimate includes approximately $600,000.00 annually in direct service funding.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Merry Celeste, Purchasing Division Director, Office of Management & Budget
Chris Rose, Director, Office of Management & Budget.
Partners:
St. Vincent de Paul CARES
211 Tampa Bay Cares d/b/a First Contact
City of St. Petersburg
Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas, Inc.
Attachments:
Services Agreement St. Vincent de Paul CARES, Inc.
Services Agreement 211 Tampa Bay Cares d/b/a First Contact
Ranking Spreadsheet