DATE: August 21, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Housing and Neighborhood Services Department
TITLE: RESOLUTION CREATING STANDARD HOMELESS SERVICES AGREEMENT GUIDELINES AND APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION FOR THE OPERATION OF THE OCEANSIDE NAVIGATION CENTER ENHANCED OUTREACH PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution creating standard homeless services agreement guidelines and approving a Professional Services Agreement with San Diego Rescue Mission (SDRM), in an amount not to exceed $170,000, for the operation of the Navigation Center Outreach Program (Outreach Program) and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement upon receipt of all supporting documents.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
Following prior City Council direction, a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and Request for Proposals (RFP) were issued on March 1, 2021, to identify potential operators for a planned year-round homeless shelter. On June 30, 2021, a City Council workshop was held to select a shelter operator and the San Diego Rescue Mission was selected to operate what is now known as the Oceanside Navigation Center located at 3131 Oceanside Boulevard.
The Oceanside Navigation Center (ONC) began operations in August 2023, providing a short-term 50-bed shelter focused on housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness. Since January 2024, the center has served over 200 people, facilitating navigation to permanent supportive housing (PSH) or other appropriate housing programs. Services comply with fair housing regulations and are accessible through direct referrals only, with no walk-ins permitted. The ONC conducts intakes and assessments to connect individuals to appropriate services and maintains 24/7 security while adhering to a good neighbor policy. The goal of the Outreach Program is to enhance the ONC's effectiveness by proactively engaging potential clients.
The Professional Services Agreement (PSA) for the operation of the Outreach Program is structured to provide enhanced outreach services to homeless individuals as a means to refer them to the ONC. The primary objective is to engage individuals experiencing homelessness, offering pathways to services and shelter while supporting the community's economic vitality and safety.
The PSA allocates $170,000 to fund the Outreach Program, focusing on the referral process and service delivery. SDRM would be expected to dedicate three full-time personnel who would provide referral services at specific locations throughout the City. They would also have the ability to transport clients, as needed, directly to the ONC. Identified service areas include City libraries, the four City Community Resource Centers, and other key areas where unsheltered individuals are known to congregate. Local businesses and community service providers would have the ability to directly connect with the Outreach team should they come in contact with an individual who is interested in engaging with the ONC. Services would be offered during weekend and evening hours, which would close a current service gap as the City’s Homeless Outreach Team typically provides services Monday through Friday during the normal business hours of 8 am to 5 pm.
SDRM will support Street Outreach activities, including but not limited to the following:
§ Daily outreach across downtown, City Community Resource Centers, events, and local beach areas.
§ Engagement with homeless individuals, particularly chronically homeless, homeless veterans, unaccompanied homeless youth, and families with children.
§ Completion of the Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) and entry of data into the Coordinated Entry System (CES) for service tracking and direct referrals to the Oceanside ONC.
Under the PSA, SDRM will be required to adopt reporting requirements necessitating data entry into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) following regional standards for programs engaged in strategic outreach engagement events through the encampment resolution program. This will ensure that all activities and progress are consistently documented and effectively measured.
Establishing a consistent outreach team capable of facilitating community referrals is crucial for effectively serving the homeless population in Oceanside. This approach ensures a streamlined and efficient support system addressing the diverse needs of those experiencing homelessness. By fostering a network of support that includes local community resources and the ONC, this program significantly contributes to the well-being and stability of the City's most vulnerable residents. The program activities are further described in the attached PSA (Exhibit A: Scope of Work).
If approved, SDRM must adopt and adhere to the best practices, policies, procedures, and operations standards outlined in the attached Resolution that would serve to establish clear operational and reporting requirements for the City’s homeless service providers on a go-forward basis.
FISCAL IMPACT
The PSA is in the amount of $ 170,000 and will be charged to the Homeless Diversion/Prevention account 150953103.5395 which has a current available balance of $226,972; therefore, sufficient funds are available.
|
Description |
Account Number |
Available Balance |
Amount |
|
PSA: Oceanside Navigation Center Outreach Services |
150953103.5395 |
$226,972 |
$ 170,000 |
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
On June 25, 2024, the Housing Commission voted 5-2-0 recommending the City Council approve a PSA with the San Diego Rescue Mission and requiring service providers to receive third party training for diversity and awareness. City Council may recall that the idea of diversity training was raised at the time that SDRM was awarded its contract to operate the Oceanside Navigation Center. At that time, City Council elected to not require such training. Staff is unaware of any client complaints regarding the manner in which SDRM staff treat their service population with respect to this item.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
The referenced documents have been reviewed by the City Attorney and approved as to form.
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Prepared by: Salvador Roman, Senior Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Leilani Hines, Housing and Neighborhood Services Director
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. PSA