REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director
Planning and Development
BY: JILLIAN GAYTAN, Sr Management Analyst
Homeless Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to triage center/emergency shelter homeless services agreements provided under the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) program:
1. Approve an Agreement with Turning Point of Central California to operate Parkway Inn and Valley Inn emergency shelters in the total amount of $3,711,155.
2. Approve an Agreement with Elevate Community Services to operate Ambassador Inn, Villa Motel and Travel Inn emergency shelters in the total amount of $5,203,299.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the HHAP agreements with Turning Pont of Central California (TPOCC) and Elevate Community Services (Elevate) for triage center/emergency shelter homeless services in the total amount of $8,914,454 and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to sign all implementing agreements.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno (City) is seeking to award funding for triage center/emergency shelter homeless services as part of the HHAP program requirements. Staff issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on October 25, 2022, and received two proposals, both were determined to be qualified and most responsive to the RFP. Based on the evaluation completed by a selection panel, staff recommends awarding TPOCC a total allocation of $3,711,155 and Elevate a total allocation of $5,203,299 for operations and coordination of services at five triage center/emergency shelters for one-year agreement.
BACKGROUND
In February 2020, the City was awarded HHAP funding in the amount of $6,158,246.18 from the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council to address homelessness, in September 2021 received $2,911,171 in a second round of HHAP allocations, and on January 18, 2023 received a total of $7,524,257.15 in a third round of HHAP allocations. Health and Safety Code Section 50220.5 (d) allows program recipients to use its allocation for operating subsidies in new and existing emergency shelters and services coordination for homeless populations.
Staff issued an RFP on October 25, 2022, requesting proposals for triage center/emergency shelter operations and coordination of services. The City received two proposals by the November 30, 2022, deadline. A selection panel comprised of representatives from the City’s Housing and Community Development, Homeless Services, Homeless Assistance Response Team (HART) divisions in the Planning and Development Department; Fresno Housing Authority, and Homeless Advocate. The panel evaluated the proposals based on the ability to meet the stated service requirements, conformance with the terms and conditions of the RFP, costs associated with providing services, past performance and experience, and other related information provided. The panel determined both proposals to be qualified as they both included the requested activities as outlined in the RFP. The panel, therefore, found TPOCC’s proposal to be qualified and most responsive to operate Parkway Inn for a total amount of $1,562,124 and Valley Inn for a total amount of $2,149,031 and Elevate Community services to operate Ambassador Inn for a total amount of $1,398,656, Villa Motel for a total amount of $1,398,656 and Travel Inn for a total amount of $2,405,987. Based on this evaluation staff recommends awarding TPOCC and Elevate Community Services.
Turning Point Triage Center Services: Parkway Inn and Valley Inn
Program staff will utilize a housing first approach to emergency shelter or rapid rehousing as appropriate and providing services to guests. TPOCC will staff each property 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will provide security on site while the need remains present. The program will be low barrier with no requirements with regard to income, sobriety, or compliance with mental health treatment, and minimal rules in place, with the majority of the rules pertaining to safety and security of guests.
The services include:
• Emergency Shelter/Rapid Rehousing/Transitional Housing. TPOCC will operate 167 emergency shelter beds at the two locations for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Fresno, Valley Inn (107 beds) and Parkway Inn (62 beds).
• Case Management. TPOCC will provide intensive case management services that focus on helping participants develop a housing plan and overcome barriers to attaining permanent housing.
• Housing Search and Placement. TPOCC will place clients into housing by partnering with the guests on reaching their goals, collaborating with other community resources, and proactively seeking solutions to identified barriers to permanent housing. Staff will work with the Navigator assigned through CES to determine the plan for accessing permanent housing, when appropriate.
• Diversion Pre-Screening. TPOCC will assess all people who present for homeless services for potential Diversion services.
• Stabilizing Health Interventions. TPOCC will provide services for stabilization of client health issues, including substance use and mental health disorders. TPOCC will continue to partner with health providers to bring mobile health units on site for vaccinations, flu shots, basic medical care, and testing for Covid-19.
Elevate Community Services: Ambassador Inn, Villa Motel, and Travel Inn
Services will focus on meeting the basic needs of the individuals while progressing each person through the Coordinated Entry System and identifying permanent housing solutions. The services will include emergency shelter provided in a low-barrier, housing first model that accepts individuals with their pets, partners, and possessions. Elevate will not create entry requirements related to sobriety and proposes to create a trauma-informed environment that is supportive of each individual seeking shelter. Elevate will provide highly trained and experienced Housing Case Managers who assist each participants with identifying a housing plan and taking the necessary steps to complete their individualized housing plan.
If an individual exits the program without becoming housed, ECS will offer the individual a connection to a community-based Navigator through RH Community Builders CalAIM Navigation Services. CalAIM Navigation Services are able to pick up where the Housing Case Manager left off with document collection, service linkage, and housing search.
The services include:
• Emergency Shelter/Rapid Rehousing/Transitional Housing. Elevate will operate 275 emergency shelter beds at the three locations for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Fresno, Ambassador Inn (60 beds), Villa Motel (65 beds) and Travel Inn (150 beds).
• Housing Case Management. Elevate will provide intensive case management services that focus on helping participants identify which type of housing will best meet their long-term needs.
• Monitors. Trained in evidenced based practices including Motivational Interviewing. Harm reduction is a core value of the Triage Centers and substance abuse alone will not result in a termination from shelter.
• Diversion. Elevate staff will screen participants during intake through a collaborative process by creating an environment for an exploratory conversation with the client’s ability to resolve their own housing crisis.
• Housing Stabilization. Elevate will provide services for housing stabilization of clients gaining employment or access to benefits like Social Security Income, access to benefits such as General Relief and CalFresh, entering job training programs, or programs to further their education and improving skills to maintain clean organized living conditions.
The proposed agreements totaling $3,711,155 for Turning Point of Central California and $5,203,299 for Elevate Community Services meets the Health and Safety Code Section 50220.5 (d) and provide the homeless community 442 beds.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because of the use of state funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
The agreements will be funded through the City’s HHAP allocations.
Attachments:
1. Agreement with Turning Point of Central California
2. Agreement with Elevate Community Services
3. Bid Evaluation