HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0112) M&C 20-0640City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 09/15/20 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 20-0640
LOG NAME: 02SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR COVID-VULNERABLE PSH CLIENTS
SUBJECT
(ALL) Authorize Execution of Agreements in an Amount Up to $350,000.00 with Presbyterian Night Shelter of Tarrant County, Inc.; My Health, My
Resources (MHMR) of Tarrant County; and Tarrant County Hospital District dba JPS Health Network to Provide Supportive Services for COVID-
Vulnerable Permanent Supportive Housing Residents and Authorize Three Renewal Options in a Combined Amount Up to $1,050,000.00
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute agreements with agencies listed below in a combined amount up to $350,000.00 for
a term commencing October 1, 2020 and terminating September 30, 2021 for the provision of supportive services;
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to renew the agreements for Fiscal Years 2022, 2023 and 2024 with the agencies listed below in
a combined amount up to $1,050,000.00 for the provision of supportive services dependent on funds being appropriated for Directions
Home initiatives; and
3. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to amend the agreements if necessary to achieve program goals provided that the amendment
is within the scope of the program and in compliance with City policies and applicable laws and regulations.
DISCUSSION:
On June 17, 2008, the City adopted Directions Home, the City's plan to make homelessness rare, short-term and nonrecurring (Resolution No.
3628-06-2008).
One of the goals of Directions Home is the expansion of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). PSH is a type of housing suitable for disabled
households experiencing more than one year of homelessness. PSH clients require ongoing case management and assistance to remain housed.
While there has been significant homeless system funding provided to the City and the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition through U.S. Housing
and Urban Development's (HUD) Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) due to COVID-19, this funding does not address the need for PSH.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted that congregate living situations, such as homeless shelters, pose a
greater risk of COVID-19 spreading and have issued recommendations that emergency homeless shelters reduce density/decompress to allow
for safe distancing of homeless clients.
The CDC additionally recommends "protective housing for people who are at highest risk of severe COVID-19." Per the CDC, two groups defined
as particularly vulnerable to severe COVID-19 are those over 65 years old and those with specific underlying health conditions, especially chronic
lung disease or moderate/severe asthma, serious heart conditions, immunocompromised, severe obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and
liver disease.
In view of the CDC recommendations and the lack of ESG funding for PSH, the City Council voted (M&C 20-0518) to use $9,300,000.00 of
funding provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Title V (Coronavirus Relief Funds or Title V funds) to
acquire and convert existing motels, hotels, extended stays, apartment complexes, or similar permanent structures to serve as and provide
approximately 100 new units of PSH. The new PSH units will provide protective housing for high risk COVID-19 vulnerable and disabled
households experiencing chronic homelessness.
Currently, 119 units of permanent supportive housing for COVID-vulnerable households are being developed with Coronavirus Relief Funds.
On July 1, 2020, the City issued Request for Proposals 20-0190 (RFP) seeking proposers to: (1) quickly acquire and convert existing motels,
hotels, extended stays, apartment complexes, or similar permanent structures to serve as approximately 200 units of PSH split across two or more
locations; and (2) provide ongoing supportive services for such households for a period of at least twenty (20) years. The City will provide funding
for the initial costs of acquisition via a one-time payment and subsequent payments for conversion/renovation from Title V funds, and anticipates
assisting the selected proposers to secure ongoing operating subsidies from other sources.
After a competitive scoring process, Housing Authority of the City of Fort Worth, dba Fort Worth Housing Solutions (FWHS), and The Presbyterian
Night Shelter of Tarrant County, Inc. (PNS) were recommended to be awarded a notice to proceed. These agencies have experience in permanent
supportive housing.
FWHS put an option to purchase on a property which can create 119 units of PSH for COVID-vulnerable households. FWHS selected PNS, My
Health, My Resources of Tarrant County (MHMR), and Tarrant County Hospital District d/b/a JPS Health Network (JPS) as service providers in
order to meet the unique client needs. Directions Home will provide the funding for the three service providers in order to create the 119 units of
COVID-vulnerable PSH.
PNS will provide three on -site case managers to work with clients to create service plans which can include goals for increasing income,
education, employment, physical and mental health goals and housing stability plans. MHMR will provide one on -site mental health professional, a
licensed chemical dependence counselor, to work with clients who need mental health services including one on one counseling and group
sessions as well as activities to encourage socialization. JPS will provide one on -site medical navigator to best assist tenants in connecting to
needed medical services.
This team approach will provide a robust support network for tenants.
City staff recommends awarding agreements to the listed agencies in the listed amounts:
Program
Description
Agency
Funding FY 21
Case
Assisting clients in
Presbyterian
Up to
Management
setting and fulfilling
Night
$201,000.00
for Permanent
goals such as health,
Shelter of
Supportive
education,
Tarrant
Housing
employment, housing
County Inc.
Clients
stability for permanent
supportive housing
clients
Mental Health
Focus on housing
My Health,
Up to
Services for
stability by addressing
My
$79,000.00
Permanent
addiction, mental
Resources
Supportive
health, social, coping
of Tarrant
Housing
skills and other
County
Clients
adjustment difficulties
(MHMR)
for permanent
supportive housing
clients;
Medical
Connect clients to
Tarrant
Up to
Services
appropriate medical
County
$70,000.00
Navigation
services
Hospital
District d/b/a
JPS Health
Network
This M&C authorizes the City Manager or his designee to approve the renewal amounts up to the amounts listed above, including any decreases
for the specified agencies necessary to bring the total renewal amounts in line with actual funding. Agencies impacted by a decrease in funding will
be notified as soon as practicable.
Directions Home services and programs are available in ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and adoption of the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget by the City
Council, funds will be available in the Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget, as appropriated, in the General Fund. Prior to an expenditure being
incurred, the City Manager's Office has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds.
Submitted for City Manager's Office by. Fernando Costa 6122
Originating Business Unit Head: Tara Perez 2235
Additional Information Contact: Tara Perez 2235