STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Human and Social Needs
AGENDA DATE: September 25, 2019
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Homeless Solutions
EXECUTIVE: Nadia Chandler-Hardy
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SUBJECT
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Authorize the first amendment to Resolution No. 19-1016, previously approved on June 26, 2019, for the services contract with CitySquare, contingent upon performance and subject to appropriation, to increase funding to serve an additional 25 individual/families under the Landlord Subsidized Leasing - Not to exceed $325,000.00, from $1,300,000.00 to $1,625,000.00 - Financing: General Fund
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BACKGROUND
The local 2018 Homeless Point-In-Time Count revealed that 3,506 persons were experiencing homelessness in the City of Dallas, an almost 9% increase from the 2017 count. Similarly, 1,098 unsheltered persons experiencing homelessness were identified, a 24% increase from the 2017 results. The increase of both total and unsheltered homelessness in the City of Dallas has trended for several years.
On August 1, 2018, the Office of Homeless Solutions briefed City Council on its proposed four-track Homeless Solutions Strategy to address homelessness in the City of Dallas. This strategy includes Track 3 the Landlord Subsidized Leasing Program to address challenges faced by persons experiencing homelessness as they navigate the rental market.
On January 31, 2019, the Office of Procurement Services advertised a Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals (“RFCSP”) (#BPZ1905) for Landlord Subsidized Leasing Program, the RFCSP closed on March 14, 2019, with two proposal submissions. CitySquare submitted a proposal to provide the Landlord Subsidized Leasing Program and is recommended for award to administer the Landlord Subsidized Leasing Program under Track 3 of the Homeless Solution Strategy.
CitySquare was originally founded in 1988 by Dallas businessman Jim Sowell. At the time CitySquare was operating as a small food pantry (Central Dallas Food Pantry D/B/A Central Dallas Ministries) for the working poor in East and South Dallas communities. In 2010, Central Dallas Ministries changed its name to CitySquare, to better reflect their commitment to equality inclusiveness, and our recognition that fighting poverty involves brining our entire community together in the heart of the City.
From a small food pantry, CitySquare has since grown into one of the largest, most effective poverty- fighting organizations in Texas. CitySquare’ s social service programs annually serve over 50,000 neighbors in North Texas as well as other cities in Texas such as: Austin, Houston, Abilene, and Paris, and Denver, Colorado. Programs focus on four key areas: Hunger, Health, Housing, and Hope.
In partnership with Family Gateway, CitySquare will provide rental assistance and supportive services to 25 homeless individuals and 50 homeless families, while engaging and encouraging landlords to provide units through risk mitigation funds.
The additional $325,000.00 is available due to budget set-aside to support services for capital bond projects. Dallas Homeless Investment Program Request for Proposal (RFP) BC19-00010982 was released through Office of Procurement Services on July 15, 2019. The Office of Homeless Solutions received the evaluations of submitted proposals on August 1, 2019; however, they did not meet the requirements of shovel ready projects as defined by the RFP specification. Staff would like to repurpose these general funds to support the Landlord Subsidized Leasing program to allow for CitySquare to house an additional 25 individual/families bringing the total to 100.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Citizen Homelessness Commission was briefed on the Landlord Subsidized Leasing Program on March 14, 2018.
The Human and Social Needs Committee was briefed on the Landlord Subsidized Leasing Program on September 17, 2018.
City Council was briefed on the Office of Homeless Solutions proposed four-track Homeless Solutions Strategy to address homelessness in the City of Dallas on August 20, 2018.
Information about this item was provided to the Citizen Homelessness Commission on May 9, 2019.
Information about this item was provided to the Human and Social Needs Committee on May 20, 2019.
On June 26, 2019, City Council authorized a fifteen-month contract, with one twelve-month renewal option, with CitySquare to implement a Landlord Subsidized Leasing Program under Track 3 of the Homeless Solutions Strategy by providing move-in and rental assistance for eligible individuals and families in need of temporary assistance and risk mitigation funds to landlords that reserve units for eligible individuals and families experiencing homelessness for the period July 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, by Resolution No. 19-1016.
FISCAL INFORMATION
General Fund - $325,000.00