Subject:
Title
First Amendment to the Funding Agreement with Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, Inc. (Catholic Charities) for the purchase of modular housing units to serve homeless residents.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the First Amendment to the Funding Agreement with the Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, Inc. (Catholic Charities) for the purchase of modular housing units to serve homeless residents.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need.
2.4 Support programs that seek to prevent and remedy the causes of homelessness and move individuals from homelessness to permanent housing.
Summary:
This Amendment will allow Catholic Charities to purchase four (4) modular housing units, called “Hope Cottages,” that are constructed from industrial shipping containers. Each housing unit will have three (3) separate bedroom spaces. These units will be connected by a small courtyard and will provide safe, comfortable housing for twelve (12) homeless individuals while they access resources to stabilize and move toward accessing permanent housing. The Hope Cottages are less susceptible to the impacts of weather and storms while providing a more stable environment for residents.
Background/Explanation:
On August 18, 2015, the Board approved the original Agreement with Catholic Charities in the amount of $500,000.00 per fiscal year for the operation of Pinellas Hope. Pinellas Hope is a transitional housing shelter in Clearwater which provides safe, temporary housing to over 250 individuals and couples (not families) as they work toward self-sufficiency. Currently, clients are housed primarily in tents or small houses called “casitas”. In addition to temporary housing, Pinellas Hope provides education, employment opportunities, access to health care, case management, and follow up services.
This amendment furthers program outcomes by providing a more stable shelter environment for residents to receive assessments and supportive services. Further, the program supports the local Continuum of Care by helping to maintain stable 24/7 shelter access within the community.
Fiscal Impact:
The cost to purchase four (4) housing units of three (3) rooms each is an additional amount not to exceed $100,000.00 in FY16 only. The total contract amount for FY16 will be $600,000.00.
Funding for the amendment has been identified within the Human Services appropriated budget dedicated to homeless services.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(2).
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg, Inc.
Homeless Leadership Board
Attachments:
Catholic Charities FY16 Agreement
Catholic Charities FY16 Amendment 1