Department: County Administration
Department Head/Elected Official: David Berry, County Administrator, County Administration
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Financial Authorization
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Participation (if applicable): N/A
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Office of County Administration for approval to engage in a Request for Proposals process for the Community COVID Housing Program 2.0 (CCHP 2.0) facilitated by the Coalition for the Homeless, with intent to invest up to $29,500,000. (Prior investments in CCHP 2.0 bring the total potential program investment to $35,000,000.) Any recommended awards will be brought to Commissioners Court for approval.
end
Background and Discussion:
In 2020, Harris County and the City of Houston partnered to launch a large-scale housing initiative to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and house at least 5,000 people experiencing homelessness: the COVID Community Housing Program (CCHP 1.0). Approximately $65 million in pooled funds from the CARES Act, private philanthropy, and existing entitlement and competitive grants were used to support three housing interventions: Bridge to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), Rapid Re-housing (RRH), and Diversion.
In addition to these core housing types, the CCHP funds were used to stand up a temporary auxiliary shelter, support expanded street outreach efforts, enhance mental health services, implement targeted decommissioning of homeless encampments, and expand Coalition capacity to manage these efforts.
The program has exceeded its original goals, ahead of schedule, as seen in the table below:
|
Intervention Type |
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) |
Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) |
Diversion |
|
Goal |
Provide a “bridge” to PSH to 1,000 people experiencing chronic (long-term) homelessness. |
Provide RRH, i.e., short-term rental assistance and light case management services, to 1,700 people who have fallen into homelessness due to COVID-19. |
Provide Diversion services, i.e., assistance to maintain or regain housing, to 2,000 people "at the shelter door" to help them avoid falling into homelessness. |
|
Progress (10/01/2020 to 12/01/2021) |
1,040 clients housed |
3,033 clients housed |
2,554 clients served |
Building upon the success of CCHP 1.0, a vision for CCHP 2.0 has been established. Potential CCHP 2.0 strategies include:
• Continuing the transformation - and sustaining the increased capacity - of the homeless response system to respond quickly to 5,000+ people in crisis by rapidly rehousing them
• Working to end unsheltered homelessness by expanding crisis housing capacity (with a Navigation Center) and addressing large encampments with specialized outreach teams dedicated to that effort
• Investing in permanent housing infrastructure for persons exiting homelessness by expanding permanent housing options and identifying new resources for clients needing a higher level of care
• Strengthening the safety net of housing and services for people experiencing a housing crisis by forging partnerships and aligning strategies across other public systems, e.g., criminal justice, behavioral health, child welfare, education, workforce development, etc.
The American Rescue Plan (ARPA) has already enabled investments in CCHP 2.0. In 2021, both the Houston Housing Authority and the Harris County Housing Authority received emergency housing vouchers (EHVs) which they agreed to dedicate to the homeless system. Harris County committed $5.5 million in ARPA Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to provide support services for formerly homeless individuals housed using these vouchers.
ARPA presents an opportunity to bring our community within striking distance of effectively ending homelessness via CCHP 2.0.
Expected Impact: CCHP 2.0 will provide housing to at least 5,000 formerly homeless individuals, giving them an opportunity to receive necessary services and work toward their personal goals, while also reducing the risk of COVID-19 health impacts. In addition to CCHP 2.0 will also strengthen the homeless response system’s infrastructure, improving overall regional resiliency.
Alternative Options: Alternative investments in homelessness are not expected to have as immediate or sustainable an impact on the number of people experiencing homelessness. Cessation of the program would result in additional people experiencing homelessness and increased spread of COVID-19.
Alignment with Goal(s):
_ Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_x Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
September 29, 2020 |
23.c.1 |
Approval of CARES-funded Community COVID Housing Program (CCHP 1.0) permanent supportive housing and diversion contracts |
|
May 25, 2021 |
21-2322 |
Approval of CARES-funded CCHP 1.0 rapid rehousing contracts |
|
August 10, 2021 |
21-4147 |
Approval of initial $5.5 million in CCHP 2.0 permanent supportive housing services for individuals using ARPA Emergency Housing Vouchers |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
Homelessness Response |
|
|
FY 21-22 |
FY 22 |
Next 3 FYs |
|
Incremental Expenditures (do NOT write values in thousands or millions) |
|
Labor Expenditures |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Non-Labor Expenditures |
$ |
$3,800,000 |
$25,700,000 |
|
Total Incremental Expenditures |
$ |
$3,800,000 |
$25,700,000 |
|
Funding Sources (do NOT write values in thousands or millions) |
|
Existing Budget |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Current Budget |
|
|
|
|
Additional Budget Requested |
|
2654 - American Rescue Plan 2021 |
$ |
$3,800,000 |
$25,700,000 |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Requested |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$ |
$3,800,000 |
$25,700,000 |
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Requested |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Implementation Date: 6/1/2022
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Sarah Williams, Pandemic Recovery Manager, Office of County Administration
Attachments (if applicable): N/A