Title
Authorization to Amend Emergency Shelter/Heat Related Respite Operator and Supportive Services Qualified Vendor List and Increase Authority, and to Enter into Contracts with Community Bridges, Inc. and Justa Center for Heat Related Respite Operator and Supportive Services (Ordinance S-52629) - Districts 1, 7 & Citywide
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to amend authorization for the Emergency Shelter/Heat Related Respite Operator and Supportive Services Qualified Vendor List (QVL) to increase funding in an amount not to exceed $3,230,000, for a new not to exceed aggregate amount of $66,856,295, and to allow use of any available Office of Homeless Solutions' (OHS) funding source to fund QVL contracts up to the not-to-exceed amount. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse funds for the life of the QVL.
Further request authorization to enter into contract with Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI) to operate heat relief and cooling centers and to connect people experiencing homelessness to services. The total contract value will not exceed $2.6 million. Additionally, CBI is a vendor on the Emergency Shelter/Heat Related Respite Operator and Supportive Services QVL and Pursuant to City Council Ordinance S-50419, Section 2, staff is seeking Council approval.
Further request authorization to enter into contract with Justa Center to operate a heat relief and cooling center and connect people experiencing homelessness to services. The total contract value will not exceed $130,000. Additionally, Justa Center is a vendor on the Emergency Shelter/Heat Related Respite Operator and Supportive Services QVL and Pursuant to City Council Ordinance S-50419, Section 2, staff is seeking Council approval.
Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item for the life of the contracts above. Funding is available in the Human Services budget.
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
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. The City of Phoenix remains committed to supporting annual heat relief activities for individuals experiencing homelessness. Qualified vendors from the Emergency Shelter/Heat Related Respite Operator and Supportive Services QVL are awarded contracts for specific projects when opportunities become available. Contracts awarded include assistance with City-owned shelter and heat-respite projects, contractor-operated temporary emergency shelter and heat related respite programs, as well as supportive services to individuals or families experiencing homelessness.
Ensuring people experiencing homelessness have access to adequate hydration and cooling through temporary, emergency heat respite and cooling centers throughout Phoenix during the hot summer months is a priority for OHS. Through the Emergency Shelter/Heat Related Respite Operator and Supportive Services QVL, OHS seeks to contract with the following providers for the 2026 summer heat season to operate the designated cooling/respite centers, as well as provide navigation services which include but are not limited to supportive services, connecting people experiencing homelessness with housing resources, mental and behavioral health services, and other resources:
- Community Bridges, Inc. - Cholla Library - 10050 N. Metro Parkway East (cooling center);
- Community Bridges, Inc. - 24/7 Heat Respite Location - 20 W. Jackson Street (daytime and overnight respite);
- Justa Center - Justa Center - 1001 W. Jefferson Street (cooling center).
Additionally, as part of heat response efforts, funding is being provided to Saint Vincent de Paul (SVdP). Funding is provided through the QVL via their existing Contract 163316 as an option to extend will be exercised to continue providing emergency overflow shelter services, heat respite, and access to care coordination for individuals experiencing homelessness seven nights a week at the SVdP Phoenix Dining Room. The SVdP Phoenix Dining Room is located on the Key Campus located at 1075 W. Jackson Street. SVdP can accommodate up to 170 individuals.
Because this item will have Citywide impacts, staff is requesting consent of the full Council under Section 2 of City Council Ordinance S-50419, which requires additional Council approval for certain uses of the QVL.
Contract Term
The term of the QVL will remain unchanged, beginning February 1, 2023, through June 30, 2028.
The term of the contracts with CBI and Justa Center will begin on or about April 1, 2026, through October 31, 2026.
Financial Impact
The aggregate cost of the contracts will not exceed $66,856,295 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.
The total cost of the CBI contract will not exceed $2.6 million. The total cost of the Justa Center contract will not exceed $130,000. The cost for overflow operations with SVdP will not exceed $500,000. Funding is available in the Human Services budget.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
• On January 25, 2023, the City Council approved the QVL with Ordinance S-49352.
• On May 15, 2023, the City Council approved additional $10.5 million in funding with Ordinance S-50884.
• On June 28, 2023, the City Council approved an additional $13.3 million in funding with Ordinance S-49924.
• On December 13, 2023, the City Council approved an additional $6,752,847 in funding with Ordinance S-50419.
• On March 20, 2024, the City Council approved an additional $1,388,933 in funding with Ordinance S-50706.
• On January 15, 2025, the City Council approved an additional $15 million in funding with Ordinance S-51541.
• On June 4, 2025, the City Council approved an additional $6,511,615 in funding for the QVL with Ordinance S-52012.
• On January 7, 2026, the City Council approved an additional $172,900 in funding for the QVL with Ordinance S-52535.
Location
Cholla Library, 10050 N. Metro Parkway East
24/7 Heat Respite Location, 20 W. Jackson Street
Justa CEnter, 1001 W. Jefferson Street
Key Campus SVdP Dining Hall, 1035 W. Jackson Street
Council Districts: 1, 7, and Citywide
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Office of Homeless Solutions.