Subject:
Title
First Option of Renewal and Amendment 1 with Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas, Inc. for Operational Costs and Direct Services.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the First Option of Renewal and Amendment 1 with Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas, Inc. (HLA) for Operational Costs and Direct Services.
● This Agreement provides funding for operational costs for the HLA, including partial support of executive and support staff, and direct service costs associated with serving as the Continuum of Care (CoC) Lead Agency.
This Agreement provides funding for one full-time Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) staff person to assist with governance, analysis, and management of the HMIS system to fulfill the HLA’s obligations as the HMIS Lead Agency, and one full-time Coordinated Entry System (CES) Youth Navigator.
● Funding in an amount not to exceed $238,330.00 is included in the Human Services’ Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Tentative Budget within the General Fund.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
2.4 Support programs that seek to prevent and remedy the causes of homelessness and move individuals and families from homelessness to permanent housing
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
This Agreement provides funding for operational costs for the HLA, including partial support of executive and support staff, and direct service costs associated with serving as the Continuum of Care (CoC) Lead Agency. Additionally, this Agreement provides funding for one full-time HMIS staff person to assist with governance, analysis, and management of the HMIS system to fulfill the HLA’s obligations as the HMIS Lead Agency, and one full-time Coordinated Entry System Youth Navigator.
This action amends the Agreement to include additional requirements for disaster response.
Background/Explanation:
The HLA is a non-profit organization which coordinates services for homeless individuals, educates and trains organizations and citizens about homelessness, and acts as the CoC Lead Agency for federal funding to homeless providers within the County. All CoCs receiving federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are required to collect information in an HMIS system. The HLA was designated the HMIS Lead Agency role in October 2017.
In addition to the use of HMIS, HUD requires CoCs to commit to Housing First, a best practice which "prioritizes rapid placement and stabilization in permanent housing and does not have service participation requirements or preconditions such as sobriety or a minimum income threshold" and includes the minimum components: 1) removing barriers to entry; 2) establishing a coordinated entry system; 3) practicing client-centered service delivery; 4) prioritizing households most in need; and 5) ensuring inclusive decision-making. The goal of Housing First is to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Since August 2019, the CES Youth Navigator assessed 27 youth using the Vi-SPDAT, 45 youth have been housed, and 36 youth have been fully assisted with document readiness.
The HLA adopted its Housing First Resolution on April 1, 2016. On August 9, 2016, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners unanimously passed a Resolution to Endorse Housing First and the Coordinated Entry System.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in an amount of $238,330.00 is consistent with the FY21 Tentative Budget.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Daisy Rodriguez, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas, Inc.
Attachments:
Renewal and Amendment 1