STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Human and Social Needs
AGENDA DATE: April 14, 2021
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Homeless Solutions
EXECUTIVE: Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
title
Authorize the first twelve-month renewal option, to the contract with CitySquare for the Dallas Connector, a transportation system for persons experiencing homelessness for the period October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021 - Not to exceed $187,500.00 - Financing: General Fund
body
BACKGROUND
On August 9, 2018, the Office of Homeless Solutions (“OHS”) briefed the Citizen Homelessness Commission on a Systems Enhancement Program.
On October 15, 2018, OHS briefed the Human and Social Needs Committee on a Systems Enhancement Program.
On January 31, 2019, the Office of Procurement Services advertised a Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals (“RFCSP”) (#BKZ1909) soliciting proposals for four programs to provide supportive services to homeless and at-risk individuals and families.
The RFCSP closed on March 14, 2019, with 18 proposal submissions, 8 of which were for the System Enhancement Program. CitySquare, located at 1610 South Malcolm X Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75226, submitted a proposal to provide the System Enhancement Program, and is recommended for funding.
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 its mission to bring the community together to fight poverty.
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 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.
Under this contract, CitySquare will administer a System Enhancement Program that provides services including but not limited to case management, transportation, behavioral health services, workforce solutions, diversion, or re-entry services. The System Enhancement Program is intended to benefit individuals or families who are homeless (sheltered or unsheltered), formerly homeless (now housed), or at risk of becoming homeless.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Citizen Homelessness Commission was briefed on System Enhancement Program on August 9, 2018.
The Human and Social Needs Committee was briefed on a System Enhancement Program on October 15, 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.
Information about this item was provided to the Human and Social Needs Committee on June 3, 2019.
Information about this item was provided to the Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee on March 22, 2021.
Information about this item was provided to the Citizen Homelessness Commission on March 25, 2021.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2021 |
FY 2022 |
Future Years |
|
General Fund |
$187,500.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
OWNER
Board of Directors
Mark Anthony
Britton Banowsky
Robin Blakeley
Elizabeth Caudill
Edie Diaz
Robbie Frazier
Jon Halbert
Marquis Hawkins
Dr. Gene Henderson
Tonia A. Howard
Valerie Keener
Wendy Messmann
Nken Okafor
Glenn Owen
Tarik Rodgers
Byron Sanders
Dave Shipley
Anthony Shoemaker
Craig Spaulding
Lisa Stewart
Kevin Thomason
Mindy Ward