Staff recommends that the City Council consider adopting the attached resolution supporting Abode Services’ proposal to the County of Alameda (Request for Proposal Number HCSA-900217) to develop a South County Housing Resource Center, as part of a County initiative to develop a countywide, coordinated homeless system. Included as Attachment A is the letter of support.  

Recently, the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (HCSA) and the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department recently issued a joint Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Coordinated Entry System (CES) and Housing Resource Centers (HRCs) to prevent and end homelessness. The funding available for the development of a CES and HRCs is approximately $6 million in State Whole Person Care funds, $1 million in Federal Continuum of Care funds, and $2 million in County Boomerang funds, totaling approximately $9 million available countywide on an annual basis for the next three years.  It is anticipated that the funding will be allocated regionally based on the demand for homeless services and that approximately $350,000 will be allocated annually to support a countywide call center.

More specifically, the RFP is seeking proposals for a countywide call center and the development of five (5) HRCs: North County (Berkeley), North County (Oakland), Mid-County/Unincorporated County, East County, and South County. The South County HRC would cover Fremont, Newark, and Union City.

CES is a countywide, standardized intake and assessment process that prioritizes people experiencing homelessness for programs and assistance including emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing (a rent subsidy program), and other interventions. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that every community operate a Coordinated Entry System (CES) in order to receive federal homeless funding. Some of the key components of a coordinated system include a countywide database/intake system, a 24-hour call center, and a network of HRCs throughout the county.  HRCs will provide assessment/intake services, housing problem solving, matching and referrals to available programs, and mainstream system connections to a wide array of other services either offered on site or through partnerships.  

Abode Services is submitting a proposal to implement and administer the South County HRC. Abode is the primary homeless services provider for the South County and operates the Sunrise Village Shelter in Fremont, several permanent support housing sites, and the majority of the rapid rehousing programs for the South County. Abode also provides homeless street outreach and mobile health services to the Tri-City area.  Abode has the most comprehensive homeless programs in the South County and is the most suitable organization to apply for this funding.

Abode’s proposal will include a primary HRC site with a network of existing services providers throughout the Tri-City area who will provide assessment and diversion services. Abode’s proposal will also include coordination with homeless street outreach workers, police, and the Tri-City jurisdictions. In addition to a coordinated in-take and assessment system, Abode’s proposal includes additional street outreach capacity, client move-in funds (e.g. security deposit assistance), additional rapid rehousing funds, and flexible funding to help client reduce housing barriers (e.g. transportation).

The proposed South County HRC will be instrumental in our community’s fight to end homelessness as it will provide greater access to homeless services for Union City residents.  The City continues to operate the CAREavan program, which provides safe parking for displaced families, as well as the Youth and Family Services program, which provides counseling, case management, and intervention services for at-risk youth and families. The City also provides funding and City-owned space to several non-profit organizations that provide a wide range of services for the homeless and those at-risk of homelessness.  The City will work with Abode to integrate City-sponsored services/programs into the County’s larger Coordinated Entry System. This will enhance access to housing and services for homeless and at-risk members of our community, while also ensuring the most efficient use of resources.

There is no impact to the General Fund as a result of receiving this report. Staff anticipates that of the approximately $9 million annual allocation that is available countywide, the South County will receive approximately $1 million based on the South County’s demand for homeless services. 

Staff recommends that the City Council consider adopting the attached resolution supporting Abode Services’ proposal to the County of Alameda (Request for Proposal Number HCSA-900217) to develop a South County Housing Resource Center, as part of a County initiative to develop a countywide, coordinated homeless system.