Subject:
Title
Approval of ranking of firms and Agreement with Society of St. Vincent de Paul South Pinellas, Inc. to provide system teams for the Rapid Rehousing Program. (companion item to no.18)
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of ranking of firms and award by the Board of County Commissioners, to Society of St. Vincent de Paul South Pinellas, Inc. to provide system teams for the Rapid Rehousing Program (RRH) under the Human Services Department.
Contract No. 167-0134-P(JA) in the average annual amount of $363,162.80 effective upon approval through September 30, 2021 for a total of $1,815,814.00. Chairman to sign and Clerk to attest.
This item is a companion item to Legistar file 16-2284A, contract 167-0135-P(JA) for fiscal administration of the Rapid Rehousing Program.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need
2.3 Provide comprehensive services to connect our veterans and dependents to the benefits they have earned
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
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
This contract provides for RRH Teams to case manage and house homeless Pinellas County individuals and families, in collaboration with Human Services, the Planning Department, the City of St. Petersburg, and the Pinellas County Homeless Leadership Board (HLB), the local Continuum of Care (CoC) governing body.
As the highest ranked proposer, Society of St. Vincent de Paul of South Pinellas, Inc. (SSVDP) will provide RRH System Teams composed of RRH Case Managers and Housing Specialists/Navigators to offer direct RRH services to homeless households identified through the CoC’s Coordinated Entry System. SSVDP will hire and oversee the teams, each consisting of two (2) case managers and one (1) housing specialist/navigator, who will work directly with clients to locate housing and navigate supportive services using RRH standards.
Duties of the teams will include, but not be limited to:
- development of specific case and housing plans within one week of entry into the program including a housing stabilization plan, a self-sufficiency plan and a budget worksheet;
- make referrals to programs for which a client expresses a need, i.e., SOAR, Pinellas County Health Program, Adult Emergency Financial Assistance, and others;
- identify and engage landlords through a variety of methods to develop sufficient affordable housing stock for success of the program
- coordinate with County and community programs to leverage services and locate potential clients.
Background Information:
Pinellas County (County) and the City of St. Petersburg (City) have agreed to partner around a collaborative RRH approach leveraging two (2) system teams with housing navigators and case managers to work with clients on housing placement and supportive services. Clients will be received directly from the local CoC Homeless Coordinated Entry System based on assessed acuity and system prioritization.
In keeping with the adopted housing first strategy of the Board of County Commissioners, the teams will manage and place clients in housing while working with the clients to help stabilize and connect them to services. Clients receiving housing assistance will develop a case plan with a case manager to identify needs and connect to services. Assistance timing will vary depending on the needs of the client. Ongoing policies and procedures will be maintained through a working group that will review program operation. The County and City will coordinate around a shared pool of dedicated funding for the rapid rehousing program. St. Petersburg funding will be prioritized for clients and placements within the City as appropriate to maximize program outcomes. As opportunities arise, the County and City may leverage grant funding under the Emergency Solutions Grant and State Housing Initiative Partnership for housing in accordance with applicable state and federal guidelines. This partnership allows for a unified approach to Rapid Rehousing to help stabilize and serve approximately 200 to 300 families and individuals per year. (Actual numbers served will fluctuate depending on service plans and the available pooled funding from the County and City) The fiscal administration and fund are established under a separate agreement.
A request for proposal (RFP) was released on February 24, 2017 resulting in seven (7) responses, which were evaluated on April 13, 2017. The evaluation team was comprised of five (5) reviewers representing the City of St Petersburg, the County, and the Homeless Leadership Board.
The firms in order of ranking are attached on the ranking spreadsheet.
Fiscal Impact:
Five (5) year not to exceed expenditure for two (2) rapid rehousing teams:
Single rapid rehousing system teams
(2 case managers, 1 housing specialist/navigator) $725,369.00
Operations budget $100,000.00
Administrative costs $ 82,538.00
Five Year Cost per system team $907,907.00
Number of teams: x 2
Five (5) Year costs for two (2) Teams not-to-exceed: $1,815,814.00
Funding is through the Human Services Homeless Prevention Initiative. However, additional housing placement funds are anticipated under the collaborative program from the City of St. Petersburg. These funds may include general fund dollars and future grant funds when available and appropriate. Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg have agreed to partner on this initiative and will have regular meetings to oversee the collaboration.
Rates are established in Exhibit C of the agreement. Human Services is recommending award for only the first three (3) items on the Fee Schedule as noted above. The remaining two items (RRH Case Manager and Housing Specialist) contained in the Fee Schedule are priced and are part of the Agreement but will not be utilized at this time.
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director, Human Services Department
Renea Vincent, Director, Planning Department
Joe Lauro, Director, Purchasing Department
Partners:
Planning Department
City of St. Petersburg
Homeless Leadership Board
Attachments:
Services Agreement
Ranking Spreadsheet