Agenda Item   

AGENDA STAFF REPORT

 

                                                                                                                        ASR Control  25-000716

 

MEETING DATE:

04/14/26

legal entity taking action:

Board of Supervisors

board of supervisors district(s):

2, 3, 4, 5

SUBMITTING Agency/Department:

Health Care Agency   (Approved)

Department contact person(s):

Veronica Kelley (714) 834-7024 

 

 

Ian Kemmer (714) 834-2160

 

 

Subject:  Renewal Homeless Bridge Housing and Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Services

 

     ceo CONCUR

County Counsel Review

Clerk of the Board

          Concur

Approved Agreement to Form

Discussion

 

 

3 Votes Board Majority

 

 

 

    Budgeted: Yes

Current Year Cost:  $228,361

Annual Cost: FY 2026-27 $12,654,590

 

 

 

    Staffing Impact:

No

# of Positions:           

Sole Source:   Yes

    Current Fiscal Year Revenue: N/A

   Funding Source:    State: 100% (Behavioral Health Services Act, Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Grant, AB109)

County Audit in last 3 years: No

   Levine Act Review Completed: Yes

 

    Prior Board Action:         2/27/2024 #32, 9/26/2023 #40, 5/9/2023 #18

 

RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):

 

 

1.

Approve Amendment No. 4 to renew the Contract with Grandma’s House of Hope for provision of Homeless Bridge Housing Services, for an amount not to exceed $3,859,449, for a revised cumulative contract amount not to exceed $13,858,961, renewable for one additional one-year term, effective upon Board approval through June 30, 2027.

 

2.

Approve Amendment No. 2 to renew the Contract with Friendship Shelter, Inc. for provision of Homeless Bridge Housing Services, for an amount not to exceed $1,621,993 and to increase the Period Three amount not to exceed by $110,939, for a revised cumulative contract amount not to exceed $5,564,535, renewable for one additional one-year term, effective upon Board approval through June 30, 2027.

 

3.

Approve Amendment No. 2 to renew the Contract with Colette’s Children Home, Inc. for provision of Homeless Bridge Housing Services, for an amount not to exceed $715,007, for a revised cumulative contract amount not to exceed $2,860,028, renewable for one additional one-year term, effective upon Board approval through June 30, 2027.

 


 

4.

Approve Amendment No. 3 to renew Memorandum of Understanding with City of Costa Mesa to pass through Behavioral Health Bridge Housing grant funds for provision of Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Services, for an amount not to exceed $1,147,021, and to increase the Period Three amount not to exceed by $117,422  for a revised cumulative contract amount not to exceed $4,819,571, effective upon Board approval through June 30, 2027.

 

5.

Approve Amendment No. 1 to renew the sole source Contract with Kingdom Causes, Inc. dba City Net for provision of Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Services, for an amount not to exceed $5,311,120, for a revised cumulative contract amount not to exceed $13,922,103, effective upon Board approval through June 30, 2027.

 

6.

Authorize the County Procurement Officer or Deputized designee to execute the Amendments with Grandma's House of Hope, Friendship Shelter, Inc., Colette’s Children Home, Inc., and Kingdom Causes, Inc. dba City Net, as referenced in the Recommended Actions above.

 

7.

Authorize the Health Care Agency Director or designee to execute Amendment No. 3 to renew the Memorandum of Understanding with City of Costa Mesa, as referenced in the Recommended Action above.

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:

 

Approval of the Amendments to renew Homeless Bridge Housing Services and Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Services Contracts and Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding will provide continued access to bridge housing and supportive services to address the immediate and sustainable housing needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions.

 

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

 

Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has established Homeless Bridge Housing (HBH) and Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) programs to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those living with severe mental health and moderate to severe substance use disorders.

 

In 2023, the County of Orange (County) received $31.6 million through the State’s BHBH grant to expand bridge housing capacity countywide for individuals with severe mental illness and moderate to severe substance use disorders while prioritizing individuals participating in Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act.

 

To carry out this work, the HCA partners with community-based providers and local jurisdictions.

 

The proposed amendments will renew these agreements, adjust funding allocations, and support continued program operations within the current state grant funding period, which extends through June 30, 2027. The contract with Kingdom Causes, Inc., doing business as City Net, was established as a sole source agreement to meet the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) grant requirement for rapid implementation of new bridge housing beds. The State’s timeline required immediate action, and there was not sufficient time to complete a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. This amendment allows services to continue through the end of the grant period.

 

The below table details the actions that were executed pursuant to appropriate authorities.

Board of Supervisors (Board) Date

Contract/Amendment

Action

Amount Not to Exceed

Term

May 9, 2023

HBH Contract

Board Approved Contracts with:

Grandma's House of Hope (GHH)

Friendship Shelter Inc. (FSI)

Colette's Children Home Inc. (Colette's)

GHH: $5,410,038

FSI: $1,304,895

Colette's: $2,145,021

July 1, 2023-June 30, 2026

September 26, 2023

Grant Award eForm for BHBH funding

Board Approved to Accept Funds

N/A

N/A

February 27, 2024

Amendment No. 1 to HBH Contracts with GHH and FSI

 

 

 

BHBH Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with City of Costa Mesa (Costa Mesa)

 

 

BHBH Contract with Kingdom Causes, Inc. dba City Net (City Net)

Board Approved Amendment No. 1 to increase Amount not to Exceed and add BHBH component

 

Board Approved MOU

 

 

 

 

Board Approved Sole Source Contract

GHH: $4,551,203

FSI: $2,526,709

 

 

 

 

Costa Mesa: $3,555,128

 

 

 

 

City Net: $8,610,984

February 27, 2024- June 30, 2026

 

 

 

 

March 27, 2024 – June 30, 2026

 

 

 

March 27, 2024 – June 30, 2026

 

N/A

Amendments No. 2-3 with GHH

 

Amendments No. 1 with Colette's

 

 

Amendments No. 1-2 with Costa Mesa

Deputy Purchasing Agent (DPA) Administrative Authority- administrative revisions

 

GHH: DPA Administrative Authority- Contingency increase

GHH: increased by $29,271

N/A

 

Scope of Services

The County operates three bridge housing programs serving distinct but related populations experiencing homelessness: Homeless Bridge Housing, Re-Entry Bridge Housing and Behavioral Health Bridge Housing.

 

The table below outlines the three Bridge Housing programs, their funding sources, and target populations:

 

Program

Funding Source

Target Population

Homeless Bridge Housing

Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)/Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA)

Homeless HCA clients with serious mental illness enrolled in actively enrolled treatment services.

Re-entry Bridge Housing

Assembly Bill 109

Homeless HCA clients with serious mental illness participating in re-entry services following justice system involvement.

Behavioral Heath Bridge Housing

BHBH Grant

Homeless individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder, priority given to CARE Court participants. Treatment participation is encouraged but not required.

 

Across all programs, bridge housing is intended as short-term stabilization while participants work toward permanent housing. Programs coordinate with Medi-Cal managed care health plans through California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) to maximize available housing-related supports and services. The BHBH program is voluntary and designed to be low-barrier to ensure access for individuals with significant behavioral health needs.

 

The HBH and BHBH programs will operate in accordance to the County’s Standards of Care for Emergency Shelter Providers (Standards of Care). The Standards of Care is a comprehensive set of administrative, operational, and facility-based standards designed to support the quality and consistency of program operations, evidence-based participant services, core organizational and administrative functions, and facility design and operations.  Providers also follow Good Neighbor Policies and work collaboratively with surrounding neighborhoods to maintain positive community relationships. HCA has not received negative community feedback and will continue ongoing coordination with providers and residents.

 

Program performance is monitored through housing outcomes, participant stability, and progress toward independent living, as reflected in the outcome measures included in the following section.

 

Performance Outcomes

 

HBH Services

Vendor

Total Individual Served (Unduplicated)

90% of Participants will have an individualized Housing and Service Plan within 60 calendar days of program enrollment

90% of Participants will be connected to the CES within 60 calendar days of program enrollment

 

50% of Participants will transition to a permanent housing destination within two years of program enrollment. 


 

 

Fiscal Year (FY) 24-25

FY 25-26*

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

GHH

34

46

92%

100%

92%

88%**

76%

40%***

FSI

28

18

100%

100%

100%

100%

50%

56%

Colette’s

14

12

100%

100%

78%**

100%

20%***

25%***

*FY 25-26 measures data through December 2025.

**Linkage to CES outcome because some participants exited the program before they could be fully assessed and entered into CES.

***Permanent housing outcome not met due to challenges in placing participants who did not qualify for or have an identified rental subsidy or permanent housing funding source.

 

 

Vendor

90% of Participants will report increase in life well-being and life satisfaction within 12 months of program enrollment (measured by the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Status Update/Annual Assessment Form).

90% of Participants will increase independent living skills within 12 months of program enrollment. 

 

 

 

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

 

 

GHH

92%

93%

100%

100%

 

 

FSI

100%

100%

100%

100%

 

 

Colette’s

100%

100%

100%

100%

 

*FY 2025-26 measures data through December 2025.

 

Both providers have received additional training and technical assistance to strengthen timely CES enrollment and improve housing planning strategies, and performance is expected to improve moving forward.


 

Homeless Bridge Re-Entry Outcomes

Vendor

Total Individual Served (Unduplicated)

90% of Participants will have an Individualized Housing and Service Plan within 60 calendar days of program enrollment. 

90% of Participants will be connected to the CES within 60 calendar days of program enrollment. 

50% of Participants will transition to a permanent housing destination within two years of program enrollment. 

 

 

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

 

GHH

51

33

96%

100%

78%**

100%

 40%***

67%

 

 

*FY 25-26 measures data through December 2025

**Linkage to CES outcome because some participants exited the program before they could be fully assessed and entered into CES.

***Permanent housing outcome not met due to the challenges of locating affordable housing opportunities as well as limitations re-entering the workforce due to background.

 

Vendor

90% of Participants will report increase in life well-being and life satisfaction within 12 months of program enrollment (measured by the HMIS Status Update/Annual Assessment Form).

90% of Participants will increase independent living skills within 12 months of program enrollment. 

 

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

GHH

96%

91%

100%

 100%

*FY 25-26 measures data through December 2025

 

Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Services

Vendor

Total Individual Served (Unduplicated)

90% of Participants will have an Individualized Housing and Service Plan within 60 calendar days of program enrollment. 

90% of Participants will be connected to the CES within 60 calendar days of program enrollment. 

50% of Participants will transition to a permanent housing destination within two years of program enrollment. 

 

 

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

 

GHH

83

42

90%

82%

57%**

84%**

21%***

67%

 

FSI

27

23

96%

100%

100%

100%

31%***

78%

 

Costa Mesa

53

25

100%

100%

100%

100%

21%***

16%***

 

City Net

127

178

100%

100%

100%

100%

13%***

25%***

 

*FY 25-26 measures data through December 2025

**Linkage to CES outcome because some participants exited the program before they could be fully assessed and entered into CES.

***Permanent housing outcome not met due to challenges in placing participants who did not qualify for or have an identified rental subsidy or permanent housing funding source.

Vendor

90% of Participants will report increase in life well-being and life satisfaction within 12 months of program enrollment (measured by the HMIS Status Update/Annual Assessment Form).

90% of Participants will increase independent living skills within 12 months of program enrollment. 

 

 

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

FY 24-25

FY 25-26*

 

GHH

93%

95%

100%

100%

 

FSI

100%

100%

100%

100%

 

Costa Mesa

100%

100%

100%

100%

 

City Net

100%

100%

100%

100%

 

*FY 25-26 measures data through December 2025.

 

 

Several of the providers did not meet the permanent housing outcome for FY 2024-25 due to limited housing opportunities, lack of homeless chronicity required to be prioritized for the permanent supportive housing opportunities made available through CES and the severe behavioral health conditions and symptoms of the individuals served. City Net and Friendship Shelter provide private settings for individuals who cannot reside in shared living environments due to their severe behavioral health conditions. These participants take longer to stabilize in the environment or may exit the program before being permanently housed.

This outcome will be updated to align with the end of the BHBH program and the 12-month time limit on interim housing funded by BHSA Housing Interventions. The proposed outcome is below:

 

75 percent of Participants will transition to a non- time limited permanent housing setting within 12 months of program enrollment. 

 

Approval of the Recommended Actions will continue to support the County's effort to build a responsive System of Care that meets the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness by providing access to bridge housing and supportive services that support achieving permanent housing.

 

The agreed upon Scope of Work and Services outlined in the Amendments are in alignment with the Shelter and Outreach & Supportive Services Pillars' best practices, guiding principles and commitments as detailed in the Homeless Service System Pillar Report.

 

The Contractors' performances have been confirmed as satisfactory with no identified issues. HCA has verified there are no concerns that must be addressed with respect to Contractors' ownership/name, litigation status or conflicts with County interests. The Orange County Preference Policy is not applicable to the Amendments and MOU.

 

The Contract with GHH and the MOU with the Costa Mesa include subcontractors. See Attachment F for the Contract Summary Forms.

 

HCA requests the Board approve the Amendments to renew the Contracts with GHH, FSI, Colette’s for Homeless Bridge Housing, the MOU with Costa Mesa, and the renewal of the Contract with City Net, as referenced in the Recommended Actions.

 

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

 

Appropriations for these Contracts are included in Budget Control 042 FY 2025-26 Budget and will be included in the budgeting process for future years. 

 

The proposed Contract includes provisions allowing HCA to terminate the Contract, reduce the level of services, and/or renegotiate the levels of services provided, as necessary. This includes a notice that allows HCA adequate time to transition or terminate services to clients, if necessary.

 

 

STAFFING IMPACT:

 

An analysis was completed to verify the contract provides County with persons specially trained, experienced, expert and competent to perform the special services in accordance with the law.

 

 

 

REVIEWING AGENCIES:

 

Office of Care Coordination


 

 

ATTACHMENT(S):

 

Attachment A – Amendment No. 4 to MA-042-23011144 for Homeless Bridge Housing Services with Grandma's House of Hope
Attachment B – Amendment No. 2 to MA-042-23010864 for Homeless Bridge Housing Services with Friendship Shelter, Inc.
Attachment C – Amendment No. 2  to MA-042-23011145 for Homeless Bridge Housing Services with Colette's Children Home, Inc.
Attachment D – Amendment No. 3 to MA-042-24010836 for Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Services with City of Costa Mesa
Attachment E – Amendment No. 1 to MA-042-24010840 for Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Services with Kingdom Causes, Inc. dba City Net
Attachment F – Contract Summary Forms