STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Housing & Homelessness Solutions
AGENDA DATE: August 28, 2024
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Homeless Solutions
EXECUTIVE: Alina Ciocan
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize a one-year service contract, with two one-year renewal options contingent on available funding, with a term beginning on October 1, 2024, with Bridge Steps d/b/a The Bridge, for immediate housing solutions, including the assistance of homeless persons by providing rental assistance in conjunction with supportive services through the Rapid Rehousing Program at the Bridge Homeless Recovery Center for the Office of Homeless Solutions - Not to exceed $149,010.44 - Financing: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Emergency Solutions Grant Funds
Body
BACKGROUND
On May 2, 2024, the Office of Homeless Solutions issued a Notice of Funding Availability (“NOFA”) (OHS-2024-00024798) for Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Rapid Re-Housing Services. The NOFA closed on May 31, 2024. As part of this formal solicitation process, the Office of Homeless Solutions received nine responses, and Bridge Steps d/b/a The Bridge was selected based on experience, approach/methodology and financial capacity.
The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Rapid Rehousing Services contract will provide homeless persons with access to housing quickly and provide the supportive services needed to assist them in maintaining housing stability. This contract is in support of the following key priorities: preventing homelessness, protecting persons experiencing homelessness, promoting affordable housing solutions, and partnering to maximize resources. The services will be provided to a minimum of 10 homeless persons of the City’s homeless shelter located at 1818 Corsicana Street (Homeless Recovery Center). The contract will be managed by the Office of Homeless Solutions. The scope of work includes short term and medium-term rental assistance, housing stability case management and essential supportive services programs for clients, which utilize best practices specified by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
As the only low barrier shelter and entry point for all adult males and females experiencing homelessness in the City, this agreement is vital to keeping guests sheltered and safe while also helping them exit homelessness.
Bridge Steps d/b/a The Bridge is equipped with the required experience and capabilities to successfully provide these services at the City’s homeless shelter and will assist persons experiencing homelessness with innovative solutions to overcome their housing crisis and provides substantial case management services.
Since opening in 2008, Bridge Steps d/b/a The Bridge has been an integral part of the City’s homeless response system through the provision of day shelter, night shelter, and housing attainment services. Day services include meal service (three meals per day, 365 days per year), peer support services, showers, laundry facilities, storage of client belongings, and case management. Service offerings have evolved over the years. Other services include kennel services for pets of overnight shelter guests and the creation of a street outreach team.
Collaboration with the Office of Homeless Solutions, the local Continuum of Care (“CoC”) via lead agency Housing Forward, other social service agencies and homeless service providers is essential to the continued success of the City’s partnership with Bridge Steps. Currently, the following agencies provide services at the location, Parkland Hospital, MetroCare Services, and the Veteran’s Administration. Other services include a library, barber shop, computer lab, and telephone service for guests and residents.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On February 12, 2020, the City Council authorized an Interlocal Agreement with Dallas County to accept Emergency Solutions Grant Funds (ESG) in the amount of $91,181.00 for the period April 3, 2018 through March 31, 2020 and ESG funds in the amount of $102,624.00 for the period April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020, with Bridge Steps to be used for emergency shelter operating utilities by Resolution No. 20-0272.
On September 23, 2020, the City Council authorized funding for Emergency Solution Grant with Bridge Steps as a low-barrier, housing-focused shelter for continued emergency operation of The Bridge for the period April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020, in the amount not to exceed $ 98,900.00, by Resolution No. 20-1439.
On September 22, 2021, the City Council authorized an amendment to the Amended and Restated MSC with Bridge Steps as a low-barrier, housing-focused shelter for continued operation of the Homeless Assistance Center program for the period October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022, in the amount not to exceed $5,481,813.00, by Resolution No. 21-1552.
On April 27, 2022, to replace the Amended and Restated MSC, the City Council authorized a facility management and operational services contract with Bridge Steps as a low-barrier, housing-focused shelter, in the amount of $4,519,000.00, for a term of one year from October 1, 2022, 2022 through September 30, 2023, with four one-year renewal options in a total amount not to exceed $22,595,000.00, by Resolution No. 22-0653 (the “2022 Contract”).
On June 22, 2022, the City Council authorized the City Manager to accept grant E-22-MC-48-0009 from the Department of Housing and Development (“HUD”) in ESG funds in the amount not to exceed $1,268,197.00 effective October 1, 2022, to be used to address the needs of (1) emergency sheltering; (2) street outreach; and (3) rapid re-housing in the City by Resolution No. 22-1024.
On January 25, 2023, the City Council authorized execution of a supplemental agreement to the 2022 Contract with the Bridge Steps, as amended, for management and operational services of the Homeless Assistance Center increasing the annual fee of $5,350,284.00 by $181,006.00 to $5,531,290.00 for one year, sourced with FY 21-22 Emergency Solutions Grant by Resolution No. 23-0184.
On June 14, 2023, the City Council authorized the acceptance of grant E-23-MC-48-0009 from the Department of Housing and Development (“HUD”) in ESG funds in the amount not to exceed $1,241,010.00 effective October 1, 2023, to be used to address the needs of (1) emergency sheltering; (2) street outreach; and (3) rapid re-housing in the City by Resolution No. 23-0765.
On August 23, 2023, the City Council authorized the City Manager to (a) exercise the first of four, one-year renewal options to the 2022 Contract, as amended, with Bridge Steps for facility management and all operational services; (b) increase the annual fee for such services during year two of the term from $4,519,000.00 by $800,683.00 (sourced from TDHCA funds) and $350,003.00 (sourced from ESG funds) to an annual not to exceed amount of $5,669,686.00; and expand the services under the contract to include rental assistance through the Rapid Rehousing Program at the Homeless Assistance Center via a separate agreement by Resolution No. 23-1152.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2024 |
FY 2025 |
Future Years |
|
FY 2023 Emergency Solutions Grant Funds |
$0.00 |
$ 637.44 |
$0.00 |
|
FY 2024-25 Emergency Solutions Grant Funds |
$0.00 |
$148,373.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Total |
$0.00 |
$149,010.44 |
$0.00 |
M/WBE INFORMATION
In accordance with the City’s Business Inclusion and Development Policy adopted on September 23, 2020, by Resolution No. 20-1430, as amended, the M/WBE participation on this contract is as follows:
|
Contract Amount |
Procurement Category |
M/WBE Goal |
|
$149,010.44 |
Other Services |
N/A |
|
M/WBE Subcontracting % |
M/WBE Overall % |
M/WBE Overall Participation $ |
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
• This item is Other Services which does not have an availability and disparity participation goal. |
|
• Bridge Steps dba The Bridge - Local; Workforce - 44.92% Local |