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Approve a first contract amendment with Caminar, Inc. for $880,188 for a total contract amount of $1,380,722 to provide permanent supportive housing services for individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges who reside at the Fair Haven Commons housing community for the current period through June 30, 2025; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the contract and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, up to an aggregate of $74,999
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve a first contract amendment with Caminar, Inc. for $880,188 for a total contract amount of $1,380,722 to provide permanent supportive housing services for individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges who reside at the Fair Haven Commons housing community for the current period through June 30, 2025; and delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the contract and any subsequent amendments, with County Counsel concurrence, up to an aggregate of $74,999.
SUMMARY:
On December 5, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved a $500,534 contract with Caminar, Inc. to provide permanent supportive housing services for families and individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges residing in the 34 designated No Place Like Home (NPLH) units and ten designated Whole Person Care (WPC) units at the Fair Haven Commons affordable housing community located in Fairfield, California through June 30, 2024.
On January 24, 2023, the Board accepted the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Round 3 grant award of $1,607,846 from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) for supportive housing services to assist behavioral health clients. Cal ICH requires the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 3 (HHAP-3) grant program funding be contractually obligated by May 31, 2024 and expended by June 30, 2026.
The first contract amendment with Caminar increases the contract amount by $880,188 and provides for the continuation of permanent supportive housing services at the Fair Haven Commons housing community through June 30, 2025. Additionally, the first amendment includes the addition of Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data collection and data entry to the contract’s scope of work, and includes Medi-Cal billing code information and rates which is part of the CalAIM’s, the State’s Medi-Cal transformation program, payment reform.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The contract will be funded with $880,188 in State Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 3 (HHAP-3) grant program funding. This funding supports the obligation to provide permanent supportive housing services for persons who are homeless and have a mental health or substance use issue and provides funds to assist the County with its obligation to provide supportive services to the NPLH and WPC units at Fair Haven Commons. Appropriations for the HHAP-3 grant are included in the Department’s FY2024/25 Requested Budget. There is no additional impact on the County General Fund.
The costs of preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2023/24 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
NPLH and WPC funding was directed toward the construction of Fair Haven Commons, an affordable housing project in Fairfield consisting of 72 apartment units tailored to meet the needs of families and individuals transitioning from homelessness. The NPLH funding provided funding for 34 of these units tobe designated for individuals and families who are currently homeless or chronically homeless and are dealing with a serious mental disorder and/or serious emotional disturbance. WPC funds secured an additional ten units for individuals facing serious mental health disorders. In support of these commitments, H&SS executed two housing preference and services collaboration agreements with MidPen Housing Corporation (MidPen) for the NPLH and the WPC units. Additionally, MidPen and the H&SS, Behavioral Health Division are committed to providing supportive housing services to the NPLH and WPC residents for a duration of no less than twenty years, as required by housing units utilizing NPLH funding and common for supportive housing construction programs.
On September 14, 2021, the Board approved a grant agreement between MidPen and Solano County to support the construction and operation of permanent supportive housing units with a commitment to provide 10 WPC units for individuals with behavioral health needs as part of the Fair Haven Commons project.
On October 1, 2021, a housing preference and services collaboration agreement was entered between H&SS and MidPen. Per the agreement, MidPen operates and manages the affordable housing facility, and H&SS, Behavioral Health Division provides behavioral health and wraparound services to those households living in NPLH units for individuals who were formerly homeless and have mental health challenges.
Caminar has experience with assisting mentally ill individuals in maintaining their housing, which has many direct and indirect cost benefits to the County in terms of other services impacted by homelessness, including inpatient care. Permanent supportive housing services, a cornerstone of effective homelessness interventions, provide a holistic and multifaceted approach to those transitioning from homelessness into stable housing. By offering safe and affordable housing along with essential support services, such as mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and job assistance, permanent supportive housing empowers individuals to rebuild their lives. These supportive services have proven to not only end the cycle of homelessness but also significantly improve the overall quality of life for these individuals. The approach recognizes that homelessness often stems from complex issues like mental health challenges or substance addiction. By addressing these root causes, a sustainable path towards housing stability and independence is more achievable and an essential component of any community's strategy to combat homelessness effectively and enhance the well-being of its residents.
The County provides ongoing case management and mental health services for NPLH residents. Residents are not required to participate in behavioral health services, but the appropriate services are offered to the individuals who qualify due to a behavioral health condition. The first individuals moved into the Fair Haven Commons units during Summer, 2023, and services were supported by Solano County staff.
Since commencing services at Fair Haven Commons in mid-December of 2023, Caminar has actively supported 42 households, encompassing 79 residents (with two NPLH households currently undergoing placement). Caminar's efforts have been instrumental in tackling various community challenges. Notably, proactive measures have led to a reduction in inappropriate “9-1-1” emergency calls. Moreover, Caminar has significantly enhanced residents' quality of life by fostering social connections, assisting with budgeting, accessing resources, and navigating legal matters. Caminar has also begun planning to develop monthly groups tailored to diverse needs Caminar is actively working to secure access to the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). This system will allow them to monitor and track various performance metrics, such as the demographic composition of residents served, the number of services provided, average hours of resident participation per week, and other relevant data points.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may not approve the first contract amendment with Caminar, Inc. This is not recommended as this contract assists with Solano Behavioral Health’s requirement to provide supportive services to the NPLH and WPC residents at the Fair Haven Commons property. Additionally, if the HHAP-3 funds are not contractually obligated by May 31, 2024, Solano Behavioral Health is at risk of forfeiting the funds that would otherwise support the continuation of these vital services to families and individuals residing at the Fair Haven Commons housing community.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the contract for legal sufficiency.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION