REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
December 17, 2024
FROM
CARRIE HARMON, Director, Community Development and Housing Department
SUBJECT
Title
Amendments to Contracts with Inland Southern California 211+ and Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc. for Housing and Disability Advocacy Program Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 23-1144 with Inland Southern California 211+ to decrease the contract amount by $933,115, from $3,350,000 to $2,416,885, to provide outreach, engagement, and housing navigation services to eligible disabled homeless individuals throughout San Bernardino County with no change to the term of November 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025.
2. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 23-1143 with Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc. to decrease the contract amount by $61,434 from $620,000 to $558,566, to perform legal advocacy services to eligible disabled homeless individuals throughout San Bernardino County with no change to the term of November 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025.
(Presenter: Carrie Harmon, Director, 382-3983)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health, and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The proposed contract amendments will lead to a total expenditure decrease of $994,549. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in Community Development and Housing’s (CDH) 2024-25 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In June 2024, the State of California (State) announced a $50 million statewide funding reduction for the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) to address a budget deficit in the 2024-25 fiscal year. This reduction resulted in a $1,064,549 decrease in HDAP funding for San Bernardino County (County), requiring adjustments to existing contracts and service targets. The proposed contract amendments will reduce total expenditures by $994,549. OHS will partially offset the decrease in state funding by reallocating $70,000 in administrative funds to the contracts, thereby mitigating the impact to the community.
HDAP is a County-run program established by the State Legislature in 2016. HDAP funds provide crucial services such as outreach, case management, benefits advocacy, and housing support to individuals experiencing homelessness who may qualify for disability benefits. The Transitional Assistance Department (TAD), which serves as the administrative entity for HDAP, began receiving HDAP funding from the California Department of Social Services in July 2017 and currently partners with the Community Development and Housing Department (CDH) to administer these funds through agreements with community-based organizations. TAD manages the allocation of HDAP resources throughout the county, while CDH collaborates closely with TAD to ensure these funds are used effectively to support vulnerable populations, particularly those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
In response to the statewide budget reduction, CDH has adjusted its services to align with the revised budget. These revisions allow for the continued provision of services, with necessary adjustments to the program's scale. The original target of serving 180 individuals each through Inland Southern California 211+ (ISC211+) and Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc. (ICLS) will be revised to 80 individuals for ISC211+ and 120 individuals for ICLS. While the capacity to serve clients will be adjusted, this ensures that the most critical services remain available to those in need.
To date, 145 clients have received legal assistance to obtain social security benefits, 226 individuals have received shelter or interim housing assistance, and 128 households have been successfully placed in stable housing.
On October 24, 2023 (Item No. 27), as a result of a formal procurement for the provision of bridge housing, case management, outreach, housing financial assistance, and Coordinated Entry System support services, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Contract No. 23-1144 with ISC211+ in the amount of $3,350,000, effective November 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025.
On October 24, 2023 (Item No. 26), as a result of a formal procurement for the provision of legal advocacy services to disabled homeless individuals, the Board approved Contract No. 23-1143 with ICLS in the amount of $620,000, effective November 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on December 5, 2024: Finance (Paul Garcia, Finance Analyst, 386-8392) on December 5, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on December 5, 2024.