STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Human and Social Needs
AGENDA DATE: September 22, 2021
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Homeless Solutions
EXECUTIVE: Kimberly Bizor Tolbert
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
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Authorize Supplemental Agreement No. 5 to the amended and restated Management Services Contract, Phase II, with Bridge Steps to (1) extend the Amended and Restates Management Services Contract for one year from October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022 with up to one year extension option, to competitively bid these services; (2) provide funding from the City of Dallas General Fund in an amount not to exceed $4,443,847.00 for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022; (3) provide funding from the City of Dallas General Fund in an amount not to exceed $219,000.00 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, 2021 through September 30, 2022; (4) provide the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Homeless Housing and Services Program Grant Funds in an amount not to exceed $818,966.00 for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022; and (5) execution of the Supplemental Agreement No. 5 and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the grant agreement - Total not to exceed $5,481,813.00 - Financing: General Fund ($4,662,847.00) and Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Grant Funds ($818,966.00)
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BACKGROUND
The Bridge Homeless Assistance Center ("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 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 December 13, 2017, City Council authorized the Amended and Restated Management Services Contract, Phase II ("Restated Contract"), with Bridge Steps, for continued operation, programming, and management of The Bridge located at 1818 Corsicana, as a low-barrier, housing-focused shelter committed to ending and preventing homelessness, with continued emphasis on using the Homeless Management Information System ("HMIS") to record and report client and services data, and increased emphasis on fundraising and financial sustainability, by Resolution No. 17-1865. By floor amendment, the end date for the first renewal option was accelerated from September 30, 2020 to September 30, 2018, with a second renewal option, at the City's election, to begin on October 1, 2018 and end of September 30, 2023
On September 26, 2018, City Council authorized the second renewal option to the Restated Contract with Bridge Steps, for continued operation of The Bridge beginning October 1, 2018; funding for the period October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019.
Approval of this item will authorize continued operation of The Bridge for another year of the contract with Bridge Steps for the period October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022; provide funding from the City of Dallas General Fund in an amount not to exceed $4,662,847.00 for that period; and provide TDHCA HHSP Grant Funds in an amount not to exceed $818,966.00 for the period September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022. A separate item would authorize an lnterlocal Agreement with Dallas County to accept $1,000,000.00, for homeless assistance services to be provided at The Bridge, for the period October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022, as revenue to offset the City's expense.
Under this Supplemental Agreement, the Restated Contract with Bridge Steps continues to remain consistent with the original intent of The Bridge as a low-barrier, housing-focused shelter and to retain supplementary provisions incorporated in FY 2017-18 regarding clearer service expectations; good neighbor expectations; additional metrics, reporting, and monitoring; and more detailed language outlining division of responsibility for City-owned facilities - all meant to improve accountability, transparency, and oversight functions for both parties.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On September 22, 2015, City Council authorized the first five-year renewal option to the Contract, with Bridge Steps for continued operation of The Bridge, for the period October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2020, which continued requirements relating to Bridge Steps' fundraising and financial stability, as well as participation in the local designated Homeless Management Information System ("HMIS") selected by the Continuum of Care and managed by the HMIS lead agency, to record and report client level demographic and service data on a timely basis by Resolution No. 15-1800.
On December 13, 2017, City Council authorized the amended and restated Management Services Contract, Phase II ("Restated Contract"), with Bridge Steps, for continued operation, programming, and management of The Bridge Homeless Assistance Center ("HAC") located at 1818 Corsicana, as a low-barrier, housing-focused shelter committed to ending and preventing homelessness, with continued emphasis on using the Homeless Management Information System ("HMIS") to record and report client and services data, and increased emphasis on fundraising and financial sustainability by Resolution No. 17-1865. By floor amendment, the end date for the first renewal option was accelerated from September 30, 2020 to September 30, 2018, with a second renewal option, at the City's election, to begin on October 1, 2018 and end of September 30, 2023.
On September 26, 2018, City Council authorized the second renewal option to the Restated Contract with Bridge Steps, for continued operation of The Bridge beginning October 1, 2018; 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. By floor amendment, City Council authorized an increase in funding from $4,470,000.00 to $4,700,000.00 and, at the same time, accelerated the end date for the second five-year renewal option from September 30, 2023 to September 30, 2020.
On August 14, 2019, City Council authorized acceptance of a grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs ("TDHCA") to provide services to the homeless through the Homeless Housing and Services Program ("HHSP"), for the period September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2020, by Resolution No. 19-1512. The FY 2020 TDHCA HHSP Grant award included the general allocation in the amount of $843,241.00 (which provides operating assistance to The Bridge), as well as an additional allocation for $258,190.00 set aside to address youth homelessness, which was competitively bid, and awarded to City Square.
On February 12, 2020, City Council authorized Supplemental Agreement No. 3 to the amended and restated Management Services Contract, Phase II, with Bridge Steps for continued operation, programming, and services at The Bridge for the period October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, by Resolution No. 20-0272.
On August 11, 2021, City Council authorized acceptance of a grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs ("TDHCA") to provide services to the homeless through the Homeless Housing and Services Program ("HHSP"), for the period September 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022, by Resolution No. 21-1275. The FY 2020 TDHCA HHSP Grant award included the general allocation in the amount of $818,966.00 (which provides operating assistance to The Bridge).
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2022 |
FY 2023 |
Future Years |
|
General Fund |
$4,662,847.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Grant Funds |
$ 818,966.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Total |
$5,481,813.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |