The Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) recommends Council approval of an Ordinance authorizing a Third Amendment to a Contract between the City of Houston (City) and SEARCH Homeless Services (SEARCH), providing up to $132,579.00 in Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds towards administration and operations of SEARCH’s Foshee Family House of Tiny Treasures, an early childhood development childcare facility for families living with HIV/AIDS.
The childcare services program with supportive services will provide developmentally appropriate childcare services to a minimum of ten HOPWA-eligible households; including a minimum of sixteen unduplicated children and thirty-five family members. Supportive services include case management, transportation, counseling for the caregiver, various therapies for children as needed, and referral services to support basic and emotional needs. The City provides 43% of the program’s budget.
HCDD conducted a Request for Proposals for HOPWA services for fiscal year 2019, with a one-year renewal option for up to three additional years. SEARCH was one of the providers selected. The initial contract period started December 1, 2018, and through subsequent amendments and administrative extensions, was extended to April 30, 2022. This Third Amendment provides funding through April 30, 2023. SEARCH has received funding through the City for various contracts since 1996.
As of December 2021, SEARCH had served ten unduplicated HOPWA-eligible households, ten adults and sixteen children, for a total of twenty-six beneficiaries, utilizing approximately 52% of funding. There were no findings on the annual compliance monitoring.
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
This item was reviewed by the Housing and Community Affairs Committee on March 31, 2022.
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Keith W. Bynam, Director