STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Human and Social Needs
AGENDA DATE: February 12, 2020
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Homeless Solutions
EXECUTIVE: Nadia Chandler-Hardy
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
title
Authorize (1) an Interlocal Agreement with Dallas County to accept (a) FY 2018 Emergency Solutions Grant Funds (Federal Grant No. E17-UC-48-0003, CFDA No. 14.231) for emergency shelter operations and utilities reimbursement at The Bridge in the amount of $91,181.00 for the period April 3, 2018 through March 31,2020; and (b) FY 2019 Emergency Solutions Grant Funds (Federal Grant No. E18-UC-48-0003, CFDA No. 14.231) for emergency shelter operating utilities reimbursement at The Bridge in the amount of $102,624.00 for the period April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020; (2) Supplemental Agreement No. 3 to the amended and restated Management Services Contract, Phase II, with Bridge Steps, to add Dallas County FY 2018 Emergency Solutions Grant Funds in the amount of $91,181.00 to be used for emergency shelter operating utilities reimbursement at The Bridge for the period April 3, 2018 through October 30, 2019 and Dallas County FY 2019 Emergency Solutions Grant Funds in the amount of $102,624.00 to be used for emergency shelter operating utilities reimbursement at The Bridge for the period April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020, with a corresponding increase in the diversification of funding percentage from 55.0 to 56.2 percent to allow for this addition of funds to the contract; (3) the receipt and deposit of grant funds in an amount not to exceed $91,181.00 in the Dallas County FY 2018 Emergency Solutions Grant Fund and in an amount not to exceed $102,624.00 in the Dallas County FY 2019 Emergency Solutions Grant Fund; and (4) the establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $91,181.00 in the Dallas County FY 2018 Emergency Solutions Grant Fund and in an amount not to exceed $102,624.00 in the Dallas County FY 2019 Emergency Solutions Grant Fund - Total not to exceed $193,805.00 - Financing: Dallas County FY 2018 Emergency Solutions Grant Funds ($91,181.00) and Dallas County FY 2019 Emergency Solutions Grant Funds ($102,624.00)
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BACKGROUND
The Bridge opened on May 20, 2008, providing a centralized entry point for homeless persons to access multiple services at one location through on-site services and co-located agencies. The facility is owned by the City of Dallas and operated by Bridge Steps, a private non-profit organization, under the amended and restated Management Services Contract, Phase II (the “Restated Contract”).
The Bridge serves almost 7,000 adult individuals experiencing homelessness per year, the majority of whom transition out of the agency’s collaborative network rapidly. For adults experiencing episodes of homelessness, The Bridge provides triage services, jail diversion/reentry services, medical/behavioral health care services, and day shelter services. For adults experiencing or at-risk of long-term homelessness, The Bridge provides night shelter and recreational/education services and assists clients in obtaining employment/disability income and affordable/supportive housing.
On September 25, 2019, City Council authorized Supplemental Agreement No. 2 to the Restated Contract with Bridge Steps for continued operation, programming, and services at The Bridge for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020; funding from the City of Dallas General Fund for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020; funding from the City of Dallas General Fund for up to 50 pay-to-stay shelter beds for stays of up to 90 days per person at a rate of $12.00 per person per night for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020; and funding from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (“TDHCA”) Homeless Housing and Services Program (“HHSP”) Grant Funds from the FY 2020 TDHCA-Homeless Housing and Services Program 19-20 Fund for the period September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2020, by Resolution No. 19-1512.
On September 25, 2019, City Council authorized an Interlocal Agreement with Dallas County to accept funds for homeless assistance services at The Bridge for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, by Resolution No. 19-1511.
On or about October 2, 2019, Dallas County informed the City of Dallas that FY 2018 Emergency Solutions Grant Funds received by Dallas County from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) in the amount of $91,181.00 has been awarded and authorized by Dallas County Commissioners Court for reimbursement of operating utilities at The Bridge for the period April 3, 2018 through March 31, 2020. In addition, FY 2019 Emergency Solutions Grant Funds received by Dallas County from HUD in the amount of $102,624.00 were preliminarily awarded for reimbursement of operating utilities at The Bridge for the period April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020. Despite earlier inquiries, Dallas County confirmed that, due to department transitions, they have no record that the City or Bridge Steps was notified of the awards.
The Restated Contract includes a diversification of funding provision that limits the percentage of City of Dallas funding under the Restated Contract (including Dallas County pass-through funds) toward the FY 2019-20 operating budget at The Bridge to 55.0 percent of the budget. Adding the Dallas County FY 2018 and FY 2019 Emergency Solutions Grant Funds would cause the diversification percentage to increase to 56.2 percent. Staff recommends a small increase in the diversification of funding percentage, from 55.0 to 56.2 percent, to allow for this addition of funds to the contract, since the increase is minimal and information about these awards was received after the FY 2019-20 contract with Bridge Steps was approved.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On December 13, 2017, City Council authorized the amended and restated Management Services Contract, Phase II (the “Restated Contract”) with Bridge Steps, for continued operation, programming, and management of The Bridge, as a low-barrier, housing-focused shelter committed to ending and preventing homelessness, with continued emphasis on using Homeless Management Information System to record and report client and services data, and increased emphasis on fundraising and financial sustainability, and by floor amendment, accelerated the end date of the first renewal term from September 30, 2020 to September 30, 2018, with a second renewal term, at the City’s election, to begin on October 1, 2018 and end of September 30, 2023, by Resolution No. 17-1865.
On September 26, 2018, City Council authorized the second renewal option to the Restated Contract with Bridge Steps for continued operation of The Bridge for a renewal term beginning October 1, 2018 and by floor amendment, accelerated the end date of the second renewal term from September 30, 2023 to September 30, 2020; funding for the period October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019; new good neighbor provisions relating to community engagement and internal and external operations; and up to 50 pay-to-stay shelter beds for stays of up to 90 days per person at a rate of $12.00 per person per night, for the period October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019, by Resolution No. 18-1410.
On September 25, 2019, City Council authorized an Interlocal Agreement with Dallas County to accept funds for homeless assistance services at The Bridge for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, by Resolution No. 19-1511.
On September 25, 2019, City Council authorized Supplemental Agreement No. 2 to the Restated Contract with Bridge Steps for continued operation, programming, and services at The Bridge for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, funding from the City of Dallas General Fund for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020; funding from the City of Dallas General Fund for up to 50 pay-to-stay shelter beds for stays of up to 90 days per person at a rate of $12.00 per person per night for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020; and funding from the TDHC HHSP Grant Funds from the FY 2020 TDHCA-Homeless Housing and Services Program 19-20 Fund for the period September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2020, by Resolution No. 19-1512.
FISCAL INFORMATION
Fund |
FY 2020 |
FY 2021 |
Future Years |
Dallas County FY 2018 Emergency Solutions Grant Funds |
$ 91,181.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
Dallas County FY 2019 Emergency Solutions Grant Funds |
$102,624.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
Total |
$193,805.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
OWNER
Bridge Steps
Board of Directors
Casey McManemin, Chair
Nafees Alam
Bill Barnett
John Castle
Jennifer LeBlanc
Timothy Leahy
Lynn McBee
Ikenna Mogbo
Reverend Donald R. Parish, Sr.
Michael Peterson, Ex-Officio
Kristie Ramirez
David Woody, III, Ph.D., LCSW-S
Shannon Wynne