County of Riverside Continuum of Care (CoC)

Transcription

1 County of Riverside Continuum of Care (CoC) Special Board of Governance Meeting October 29, :30 11:30 a.m. DPSS Staff Development Room Cactus Ave, Moreno Valley, CA Co-Chairs: Darrell Moore, Inland Counties Legal Services Carrie Harmon, Housing Authority of Riverside County 1. Call to Order: Welcome & Introductions Roll Call (Sign off) 2. Minutes Approval: a. CoC BoG Minutes from October 1, 2015 Teleconference Access: Code: Public comment: Members of the Public are encouraged to address the Board. Anyone who wishes to speak must submit a comment request card to the board clerk. Each speaker should begin by identifying themselves for the record and is allowed up to three minutes. 4. New Business: a HUD Application Independent Review Panel Recommendations Jill Kowalski, DPSS A staff report about these recommendations is included with this agenda. The 2015 HUD CoC Program NOFA (notice of funding availability) was released on September 18. The Independent Review Panel has met eight times between May-August to evaluate the performance of renewal projects and make recommendations for the 2015 HUD CoC Program Consolidated Application. Based on BoG approval in a special meeting on Oct. 1, 2015, a total of $869,760 is being reallocated to new project(s) to be included in the 2015 HUD application. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was released by DPSS on October 6, 2015 for the following: a-1: Recommend that the Board of Governance approve Path of Life Ministries receive the full amount of $369,760 to provide 15 units/27 beds to individuals and families countywide for the proposed Rapid Re-housing Project. The new project would be placed in Tier 1 in the 2015 HUD CoC Program Consolidated Application. a-2: Recommend that the Board of Governance approve the Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health s (formerly County of Riverside Department of Mental Health) proposal for a new SSO project for a Coordinated Entry System for Homeless Individuals and Families and receive the full amount of $500,000. The new CES project would be placed in Tier 1 in the 2015 HUD CoC Program Consolidated Application. 1

2 a-3: Recommend the Board of Governance conditionally approve the Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health s (formerly County of Riverside Department of Mental Health) Youth at Home Rapid Rehousing Project pending application revisions (see staff report) for the amount of $651,745; and conditionally approve the U.S. Vets PSH project to house chronically homeless veterans and non-veteran individuals and families for the remaining amount up to $1.4 million (748,255). a-4: Recommend the Board of Governance approve the following ranking in Tier 2 of the 2015 HUD CoC Program Consolidated Application: 1. ABC Recovery Transitional Housing Project (Tier 1 straddle amount: $16,114; Tier 2 amount: $26,882). 2. DMH Youth at Home RRH project (new PH Bonus project) for the amount of $651, U.S. Vets PSH project for veterans and non-veterans (individuals and families) for the amount of $748, Martha s Village and Kitchen TH project: $535, Whiteside Manor Dually Diagnosed TH project: $901, Receive and File: a. APRs: None b. Standing Committee Reports: None 6. BOG Member Comments: 7. Call for Agenda Items for Next Meeting: 8. Next Meeting: Joint meeting with current board and new Board of Governance Thursday, November 12, 2015 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at United Way of the Inland Valleys, 6215 River Crest Drive, Ste. B, Riverside, Ca Adjournment 2

3 Board of Governance Meeting October 29, 2015 Locations of board members who are teleconferencing The following Board of Governance members have confirmed they will call-in to the meeting from the locations indicated: Board Member: Connie Golds, Executive Director Desert Best Friend s Closet Call-in Location: Highway 111, Suite F Palm Desert, CA David Leahy, CFO ABC Recovery Center, Inc ABC Recovery Center, Inc Palm Street Indio, CA Diana Vasquez, Management Assistant City of Moreno Valley City of Moreno Valley Frederick Street Moreno Valley, CA Vincent Lopez, Community Development Specialist City of Cathedral City Cathedral City Civic Center Study Session Room, First floor Avenida Lalo Guerrero Cathedral City, CA

4 Board of Governance Meeting October 29, 2015 Item 4 a-1: Collaborative Applicant Staff Report Subject: Recommend that the Board of Governance approves Path of Life Ministries receive the full amount of $369,760 for the proposed Rapid Re-housing Project. The new project would be placed in Tier 1 in the 2015 HUD CoC Program Consolidated Application. Background: Based on BOG approval in a special meeting on Oct. 1, 2015, there is $869,760 available for new project(s) to be included in the 2015 HUD application. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was released by DPSS on October 6, 2015 for the following: 1. A total of $369,760 will be available to fund one or more new projects for the following: Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) projects that exclusively serve chronically homeless individuals, and families including unaccompanied youth, and families; and/or Rapid Re-Housing Assistance that will serve individuals, families or unaccompanied youth who come directly from the streets, emergency shelters, or are fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual or family member, including a child, that has either taken place within the individuals or family s primary residence or has made the individual or family afraid to return to their primary nighttime residence; has no other residence; and lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing. Permanent Supportive Housing assistance projects will provide for chronically homeless individuals and families through rental assistance and other eligible benefits as noted below. Additionally, permanent supportive housing assistance projects shall utilize a Housing First approach to identify and assist eligible program participants and assist with program development and implementation. Housing First prioritizes rapid placement and stabilization in permanent housing and does not have service participation requirements or preconditions such as sobriety or a minimum income threshold. The cost for implementing a Housing First program may be included in the Bidder s proposal. Rapid re-housing assistance projects will provide for eligible families through rental assistance and other eligible benefits as noted below. Additionally, Rapid Rehousing projects shall utilize a Housing First approach to identify and assist eligible program participants and assist with program development and implementation. Housing First prioritizes rapid placement and stabilization in permanent housing and does not have service participation requirements or preconditions such as sobriety or a minimum income threshold. The cost for implementing a Housing First program may be included in the Bidder s proposal. Specifically, both Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Rapid Rehousing (RR) projects should include supportive services based on the needs and desires of each program participant and should include the following: a. Removing barriers to accessing services and housing experienced by homeless individuals and families. b. Participating in the CoC s centralized/coordinated assessment system, including assessing the needs of homeless individuals and families requiring assistance and prioritizing those households for assistance. c. Client-centered service delivery tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual or family presenting for services. Participants should not be required to participate in services that they do not believe will help them achieve their goals. d. Prioritizing households most in need for placement into appropriate housing, including those who have been living on the street the longest, homeless families with children living in unsheltered situations and those considered most medically vulnerable. 4

5 There were two applications submitted for the new reallocated project funding: Path of Life Ministries: $217,202 for Rapid Rehousing. POL proposed to serve 12 people. (individuals/families) in the eastern portion of the county (including Banning/Beaumont). U.S. Vets: Requested $369,760 to partner with Coachella Valley Rescue Mission to Rapidly Rehouse 25 veterans and non-veterans throughout Riverside County. The review panel asked POLM if they could revise their proposal for the full amount of funding available ($369,760) because they didn t want to split the amount for two projects. The panel also believed that POL had a stronger proposal and track record in regard to their current HUD projects. At the request of the Review Panel, POLM submitted a revised scope of work and budget for $369,760 to provide 15 units/27 beds of rapid rehousing to individuals and families countywide. The review panel is recommending the BOG approve this proposal. 5

6 Board of Governance Meeting October 29, 2015 Item 4 a-2: Collaborative Applicant Staff Report Subject: Recommend that the Board of Governance approve the Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health s (formerly County of Riverside Department of Mental Health) proposal for a new SSO project for a Coordinated Entry System for Homeless Individuals and Families and receive the full amount of $500,000. The new CES project would be placed in Tier 1 in the 2015 HUD CoC Program Consolidated Application. Background: Included in a local RFP (Request for Proposal) for the 2015 HUD CoC Program NOFA (notice of funding availability) was a request for qualified organizations for a new Supportive Services Only (SSO) project for a centralized or coordinated assessment system that will service the entire county. The RFP stated the following information about the Coordinated Entry System (CES): On behalf of the County/City of Riverside Continuum of Care (CoC), the county seeks a qualified applicant to administer a Coordinated Entry System (CES) for homeless households that will cover the entire county and be consistent with the guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A Coordinated Entry System is described by HUD in Definitions of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH Act): Continuum of Care Program Interim Rule as follows: Coordinated Entry System means a coordinated process designed to coordinate program participant intake assessment and provision of referrals. A centralized or coordinated assessment system covers the geographic area, is easily accessed by individuals and families seeking housing or services, is well advertised, and includes a comprehensive and standardized assessment tool. The County of Riverside CoC is in the process of designing a Coordinated Entry System to coordinate and strengthen access to housing for families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness throughout the entire County of Riverside. The Coordinated Entry System institutes consistent and uniform assessment and referral processes to determine and secure the most appropriate response to each individual or family s immediate and long-term housing needs. The Coordinated Entry System is designed to: Allow anyone who needs assistance to know where to go to get that assistance, to be assessed in a standard and consistent way, and to connect with the housing/services that best meet their needs; Ensure clarity, transparency, consistency and accountability for homeless clients, referral sources and homeless service providers throughout the assessment and referral process; Facilitate exits from homelessness to stable housing in the most rapid manner possible given available resources; Ensure that clients gain access as efficiently and effectively as possible to the type of intervention most appropriate to their immediate and long-term housing needs; Ensure that people who have been homeless the longest and/or are the most vulnerable have priority access to scarce permanent supportive housing resources. The implementation of the Coordinated Entry System necessitates significant, community-wide change. To help ensure that the system will be effective and manageable for homeless persons and persons at-risk of homelessness and for the housing and service providers tasked with meeting their needs, a continuum-wide group of stakeholders is involved in its design. The county received one proposal for CES from the Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health s (formerly County of Riverside Department of Mental Health) that the review panel is recommending for funding for the full amount of $500,000. 6

7 Item 4 a-3: Collaborative Applicant Staff Report Board of Governance Meeting October 29, 2015 Subject: Recommend the Board of Governance conditionally approve the Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health s (formerly County of Riverside Department of Mental Health) Youth at Home Rapid Rehousing Project pending application revisions for the amount of $651,745; and conditionally approve the U.S. Vets PSH project to house chronically homeless veterans and non-veteran individuals and families for the remaining amount up to $1.4 million (748,255). Background: Approximately $1.4 million may be available to create new projects through a Permanent Housing Bonus that is based on the overall score and ranking of the county s 2015 HUD CoC Program Consolidated Application. Proposals may also include projects for up to the maximum amount of funding that may be awarded to the county ($1.4 million) for the following: New Permanent Supportive Housing projects that will serve 100% chronically homeless families and individuals; and/or New Rapid Re-housing projects that will serve homeless individuals and families coming directly from the streets or emergency shelters, and includes persons fleeing domestic violence situations and other persons, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual or family member, including a child, that has either taken place within the individuals or family s primary residence or has made the individual or family afraid to return to their primary nighttime residence; has no other residence; and lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing. Permanent Supportive Housing assistance projects will provide for chronically homeless individuals and families through rental assistance and other eligible benefits. Additionally, permanent supportive housing assistance projects shall utilize a Housing First approach to identify and assist eligible program participants and assist with program development and implementation. Housing First prioritizes rapid placement and stabilization in permanent housing and does not have service participation requirements or preconditions such as sobriety or a minimum income threshold. The cost for implementing a Housing First program may be included in the Bidder s proposal. Rapid re-housing assistance projects will provide for eligible families through rental assistance and other eligible benefits as noted below. Additionally, Rapid Rehousing projects shall utilize a Housing First approach to identify and assist eligible program participants and assist with program development and implementation. Housing First prioritizes rapid placement and stabilization in permanent housing and does not have service participation requirements or preconditions such as sobriety or a minimum income threshold. The cost for implementing a Housing First program may be included in the Bidder s proposal. Specifically, both Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Rapid Rehousing (RR) projects should include supportive services based on the needs and desires of each program participant and should include the following: a. Removing barriers to accessing services and housing experienced by homeless individuals and families. b. Participating in the CoC s centralized/coordinated assessment system, including assessing the needs of homeless individuals and families requiring assistance and prioritizing those households for assistance. c. Client-centered service delivery tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual or family presenting for services. Participants should not be required to participate in services that they do not believe will help them achieve their goals. 7

8 d. Prioritizing households most in need for placement into appropriate housing, including those who have been living on the street the longest, homeless families with children living in unsheltered situations and those considered most medically vulnerable. The NOFA requires a coordinated effort in developing a Continuum of Care system. The Continuum of Care system must include discussion of the existing housing and service system, the gaps in that system, and the proposed projects that will fill the gaps of greatest priority. The Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health s (formerly County of Riverside Department of Mental Health) submitted a Youth at Home Rapid Rehousing Project to serve up to 12 homeless individuals and families, with a prioritization of transitional age unaccompanied youth that meet the definition under RRH above and also include LGBTQ youth. The review panel found merit in the proposal and asked for the following changes in the proposal as a condition for recommending it be included in the HUD application: 1. Increasing the number of units (people) served from 12 to 24 units/people. 2. Adjusting the ratio of supportive services costs to no more than 40% of the total project budget. 3. Clarifying the language describing the target population on page 16 of the scope of work as follows: "As indicated the HHOPE Youth at Home program will serve individuals or families with a significant mental health challenge and a prioritization of chronically homeless youth, unaccompanied youth at risk due to human trafficking, LGBTQ..." The review panel asked for clarification on what "a significant mental health challenge" means based on this low barrier model that is described in the scope of work (page 16, second paragraph). The panel is concerned that clients may not be able to access housing in the program unless they a diagnosed mental illness. Also, the panel asked RUHSBH (DMH) to remove the word "chronically" from the sentence below because this is a rapid rehousing project (not PSH) (from page 16, second paragraph): Lynne Brockmeier, Administrative Services Manager, Housing Crisis Response Team Manager of the HHOPE Program for Riverside University Health System Behavioral Health (formerly Department of Mental Health), responded with the following written statement (dated ): As a Behavioral health agency, our mission is to serve those with challenges in regards to their mental health. Diagnosis aside. We are targeting individuals who are exhibiting some symptoms of mental health issues, substance issues etc., which is a large number of individuals on the street and why they are homeless, as well as just living on the street, precipitates this as well. If they are not demonstrating any kind of mental health symptoms then they would not really need our supports. This is a special needs population that is more than 70% of all individuals living on the streets and is what we specialize in. More than 90 individuals every month in this county over the last FY have enrolled for services and reported to be homeless. We have more than 1000 individuals enrolled in our HHOPE Housing Crisis program of outreach and engagement this quarter since July 1. I just did the reporting today from HMIS on their outreach services more than 12,000 services in the last quarter. The need is there. It is also the group of individuals most of the other agencies cannot serve effectively and at times will not serve. Especially a youth who has been abused, trafficked, using drugs etc. This housing would be targeted for individuals demonstrating in some aspects mental health issues, whether they recognize it or not. Page 16 of the scope of work for DMH Youth Project is below: 8

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10 U.S. Vets Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) bonus funding proposal: U.S. Vets submitted a proposal for the full $1.4 million to partner with Coachella Valley Rescue Mission to provide 60 units/130 beds of PSH to veteran/non-veteran chronically homeless individuals and families. DPSS staff sent an to U.S. Vets on Wednesday, October 21 at 4 p.m. asking for clarification on this proposal. No response was provided as of noon on Monday, Oct. 24. The and questions are below: From: Elizabeth Hernandez Sent: Wednesday, October 21, :01 PM To: Eddie Estrada Cc: Motootua Fualautoalasi; Jill Kowalski; Rowena Concepcion; Linda Salas; Veronica Ramirez Subject: CoC PH Bonus/ PSH Program Questions Hi Eddie, In reviewing your application for the PH Bonus/ PSH Program, we have a few questions that need to be answered by 5pm today for the review panel meeting tomorrow. Here are the questions: 1. This application is written as a partnership between US VETS, CVRM and a property management company. Is there a sub-contractor agreement between US VETS and CVRM? Does US VETS have a written agreement with the property management company to find rental units? a. TAB C, Question 13, of the Company/ Organizational Profile requests information for all employees/subcontractors responsible for administering or providing services. CVRM staff was not included in this section. A sub-contractor agreement was not provided with the application. i. Which CVRM staff salaries are covered in the supportive services budget? ii. How much of the $1,400,000 proposal will be sub-contracted to CVRM? b. Do you have a written agreement with the property management regarding finder fees or other real estate fees? 2. In the sub-contract between US VETS and CVRM to house the following: a. In the project scope of services there is a reference to US VETS servicing the Inland Empire and CVRM servicing the Western Riverside County. i. For the reference to Inland Empire please describe the specific geographic boundaries this project will serve. b. CVRM to house 40 non-veteran chronically homeless households or families. Does this mean individuals with no service records? c. US VETS to house 20 veteran chronically homeless households or families. Are you including individuals in this group only that are eligible for VA Healthcare? Are you including individuals with other than honorable (OTH) and dishonorable discharge in this group? If not, are you committed to serving OTH and dishonorable discharges? Any active duty restrictions? Any time in service restrictions? d. Your scope of services indicates that 60 households will be served, but your budget only includes a funding request for 58 units. Is this correct? e. The funding request for leasing is $810,285, but based on the calculation on your budget summary, the leasing amount should be $803,184. Units Count Months Annual Leasing 1 bd $283,296 2 bd $276,720 3 bd $195,480 4 bd 2 12 $47, Total $803,184 10

11 3. Please clarify the following: a. Budget: i. The 60 units are scattered site, leased units. Per your application, the several property owners and a real estate agency will make available studios, 1, 2 & 3 bd units to accommodate chronically homeless clients. All units will be off-site and in the community, correct? 1. Question: $12,000 maintenance and repair for units where clients are housed or for the administration leased office? 2. Question: $8,249 property taxes and insurance for units where clients are housed or for the administration leased office? 3. Question: $70,000 for electricity, water and gas for units where clients are housed or for the administration leased office? ii. The leased office space: 1. Does the $1500/mo lease include utilities? 2. Where will the leased office space be located? iii. The match requirement is 25% of the funding requested, excluding leasing; therefore, 25% of $578,816. Your budget states $142,928.75, but should be $144, What are the sources for the match? 2. What are your sources for leverage? Will you be able to provide leverage of 150% of the funding request? In addition, one of the review panel members contacted Coachella Valley Rescue Mission to ask about the agreement with U.S. Vets as part of this application. Darla Burkett, Executive Director at CVRM responded in writing with the following statement: CVRM has made no agreement to anything written on pages (of the U.S. Vets PH bonus proposal scope of work). No agreement, no discussions, no MOU. I have no further comment, as this is not factual. Pages of the scope of work for the U.S. Vets PSH bonus project that references the partnership with CVRM is included below: 11

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15 Item 4 a-4: Collaborative Applicant Staff Report Board of Governance Meeting October 29, 2015 Subject: Recommend the Board of Governance approve the following ranking in Tier 2 of the 2015 HUD CoC Program Consolidated Application: Project #1: ABC Recovery Transitional Housing Project (Tier 1 straddle amount: $16,114; Tier 2 amount: $26,882). Project #2: DMH Youth at Home RRH project (new PH Bonus project) for the amount of $651, Project #3: U.S. Vets PSH project for veterans and non-veterans (individuals and families) for the amount of $748,255. Project #4: Martha s Village and Kitchen TH project: $535,000 Project #5: Whiteside Manor Dually Diagnosed TH project: $901,154. Contact: Jill Kowalski, Manager, DPSS Homeless Programs Unit (JKowalsk@riversidedpss.org) Background: In addition to the Transitional Housing projects that will be placed in Tier 2 as approved by the BOG, HUD is requiring all CoCs to rank the Permanent Housing Bonus project(s) in Tier 2 as well. As a CoC, we will need to rank the PH bonus projects either before or after (ABC Recovery TH (portion)), Martha s Village and Kitchen TH and Whiteside Manor TH. Some serious considerations by the Independent Review Panel were made in the recommendation where to rank the Permanent Housing bonus project(s): If the PH bonus project(s) are placed below the TH projects in Tier 2, this would mean that the review panel, BOG (and CoC) are prioritizing the Transitional Housing projects/beds over creating new PSH and/or RRH beds. This is why HUD is requiring CoCs to rank the PH bonus projects. If the PH bonus project(s) are ranked above the TH projects, HUD may: Fund all of the projects (PH bonus + all of the TH projects in Tier 2) Fund only the PH bonus projects (and not the lower scoring TH projects in Tier 2) Fund the PH bonus projects and the higher ranking TH project(s) in Tier 2 or the project that is on the straddle (ABC Recovery). Fund the PH bonus project and none of the TH projects in Tier 2. 15