REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 8, 2022
FROM
GEORGINA YOSHIOKA, Interim Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Memorandum of Understanding with Redlands Supportive Housing, L.P. for Case Management and Specialty Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Supportive Services at Liberty Lane
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve non-financial Memorandum of Understanding with Redlands Supportive Housing, L.P. for the provision of specialty mental health and substance use disorder supportive services, including case management, at Liberty Lane in Redlands, a permanent supportive housing development, for the period of February 8, 2022 to February 7, 2042.
(Presenter: Georgina Yoshioka, Interim Director, 388-0801)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is non-financial in nature; and therefore, will not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) commitment, implemented through this MOU, is to provide case management and supportive services to clients residing at Liberty Lane. Supportive services are funded by DBH’s existing Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Community Services and Supports allocations. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in DBH’s 2021-22 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DBH is responsible for providing mental health and/or substance use disorder services to San Bernardino County residents who are experiencing major mental illness and/or a substance use disorder. The recommended MOU outlines the collaborative efforts between Redlands Supportive Housing, L.P. and DBH regarding the provision of specialty mental health and substance use disorder supportive services to eligible clients residing at Liberty Lane in Redlands. Liberty Lane is an 80-unit permanent supportive housing development providing housing and supportive services to the most vulnerable chronically homeless individuals and families through the MHSA Housing Program. Under the MOU, DBH will provide contracted field-based case management, specialty mental health and co-occurring services to support the behavioral health needs of clients residing throughout nine Special Needs Housing Program funded units at Liberty Lane. Participation in these services is on a voluntary basis. Liberty Lane construction is scheduled to begin August 2024; however, the MHSA Housing Program requires a 20-year MOU be in place for the supportive services in order to continue the process.
The MHSA Housing Program provides funding for permanent supportive housing for individuals with mental illness who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Supportive Housing is affordable housing with no limit on length of stay and is linked to on-site and off-site supportive services. Supportive services must help the eligible tenant retain housing, support recovery and resiliency, and help maximize the ability to live and work in the community. DBH is responsible for providing the required supportive services for all MHSA Housing Program approved housing developments within the county, which includes Liberty Lane.
Liberty Lane, developed by Redlands Supportive Housing, L.P., is an affordable housing development for veteran individuals and veteran families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Liberty Lane will work with DBH and San Bernardino County Coordinated Entry System in identifying eligible households to access the permanent supportive housing units. In addition, DBH will provide resources and linkage for substance use disorder and mental health services to all non-veterans administration benefit eligible Liberty Lane residents.
PROCUREMENT
On July 13, 2021 (Item No. 18), the Community Development and Housing Department presented and gained authorization from the Board of Supervisors (Board) for the collaboration between the County and Redlands Supportive Housing, L.P. for the development of up to 80 affordable housing units at the Liberty Lane Housing Project under the California Department of Housing and Community Development Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Program, in the amount of $15,000,000. The Board’s approval of this collaboration included DBH’s commitment to provide supportive services to tenants of the project.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Behavioral Health Contracts (Natalie Kessee, Contracts Manager, 388-0869) on January 21, 2022; County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 25, 2022; Finance (Christopher Lange, Administrative Analyst, 386-8393) on January 21, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on January 25, 2022.