The Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) recommends Council approval of an Ordinance authorizing a Third Amendment to the Contract between the City of Houston (City) and SEARCH Homeless Services (SEARCH) to (1) extend the term of the Contract; (2) provide up to $500,000.00 in Texas Homeless Housing Services Program (HHSP) funds, $749,538.52 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, and Affordable Housing (TIRZ) funds to continue Mobile Outreach, The Welcome Center, and Housing Case Management services for up to 905 homeless individuals and families living in Houston; and (3) amend federal contract provisions related to the addition of Community Development Block Grant funding.
SEARCH’s Mobile Outreach team provides interventions, assessments, and referrals to services for homeless persons living on the streets. The Welcome Center is a day shelter located at 2015 Congress Avenue, Houston TX, which serves all districts as a point of entry for a continuum of services that facilitate movement toward stabilized employment, housing, and self-sufficiency.
The Housing Case Management program provides long-term housing and supportive services to formerly homeless individuals and families to assist them in achieving housing stability. Services include on-the-spot housing assessments, referrals to medical and mental healthcare, substance abuse services and access to Harris Health's Gold Card and SNAP food stamps programs.
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CDBG/HHSP/TIRZ FUNDING CATEGORY
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AMOUNT
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Percent
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|
Program Costs
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$1,315,904.22
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97.47%
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Administrative
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$34,095.78
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2.53%
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Total
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$1,350,000.00
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100%
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The initial contract period was November 1, 2018 through October 31, 2019. The First Amendment provided funding through October 31, 2020 and was administratively extended through February 28, 2021. The Second Amendment provided funding through February 28, 2022. This Third Amendment will provide funding through February 28, 2023.
HCDD conducted a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Public Services contracts for fiscal year 2019 with a one-year renewal option for fiscal year 2020. SEARCH was one of the agencies selected. As of December 2021, SEARCH has served 728 clients (91%), utilizing approximately 80% of HHSP funding, and there were no findings on the annual compliance monitoring.
Fiscal Notes:
Funding for this item is included in the FY2022 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies. No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
This item was reviewed by the Housing and Community Affairs Committee on January 18, 2022.
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Keith W. Bynam, Interim Director