Title
Authorization to Amend Emergency Shelter/Heat Related Respite Operator and Supportive Services Qualified Vendor List and Increase Authority (Ordinance S-50884)
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to amend the Emergency Shelter/Heat Related Respite Operator and Supportive Services Qualified Vendor List (QVL) to add $1 million in federal HOME-ARP funding, and additional $9.5 million in General Funds, Arizona Department of Housing and American Rescue Plan Act funding for a new not to exceed aggregate amount $41,941,780. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse funds for the life of the QVL.
Report
Summary
The Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS) provides support and services for persons experiencing homelessness and is committed to ending homelessness through a comprehensive, regional approach to housing and services. With the dramatic rise of unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, OHS is allocating additional resources to serve this population and focus on housing and services for those most vulnerable. Qualified vendors from this procurement are awarded a contract for specific projects when opportunities become available. Contracts awarded include City-owned projects in need of temporary emergency shelter/heat related respite operators and/or supportive services to individuals or families experiencing homelessness.
Through use of the QVL, OHS will begin a contract with Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI) and Mercy House Living Centers (Mercy House) to provide outreach, and navigation services to assist permanent supportive housing placement for individuals experiencing homelessness and referred through OHS, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment Systems statewide housing administrator, or Maricopa Regional Coordinated Entry System. Through these contracts, the City will provide the supportive services to assist individuals moving from unsheltered homelessness to permanent housing.
Additionally, the QVL will be used to contract with St. Vincent de Paul and CBI for the operations and support services at the City's 71st Avenue Navigation Center. St. Vincent de Paul's contract will encompass the immediate employment program at the shelter, allowing all residents on the site the ability to become an employee of the organization, obtain job training and income. CBI's contract will cover all of the site's operational needs including 24/7 staffing, case management, security, food, supplies and equipment needed to open the shelter. OHS has consulted with the District 7 Councilmember regarding the contracts for 71st Ave. Navigation Center; however, because this item contains requests impacting Citywide services, staff is requesting consent of the full Council under Section 2 of City Council ordinance S-50419, which requires Council approval for certain uses of the QVL.
St. Vincent de Paul, CBI and Mercy House recognize the need for providing shelter, outreach, navigation and housing based services to individuals experience homelessness across the City of Phoenix and are committed to providing services aligned with the City of Phoenix's Strategies to Address Homelessness Plan. Further, all three vendors have experience providing support services to the community.
Term
The term of the QVL will remain unchanged, beginning Feb. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2028.
Financial Impact
The aggregate cost of the contracts will not exceed $41,941,780 over the life of the QVL. Funding is available in the Human Services Department's operating budget and via existing federal, state, and county grant funding.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
- On Jan. 25, 2023, the City Council approved the QVL with Ordinance S-49352.
- On June 28, 2023, the City Council approved an additional $13.3 million with Ordinance S-49924.
- On Dec. 13, 2023, the City Council approved an additional $6,752,847 with Ordinance S-50419.
- On March 20, 2024, the City Council approved an additional $1,388,933 with Ordinance S-50706.
Location
71st Avenue Navigation Center, 11 S. 71st Ave.
District: 7 and Citywide
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Human Services Department.