Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a One Year Agreement with Operation Dignity to Provide Mobile Outreach Services for Alameda’s Unsheltered Population in an Amount Not to Exceed $122,400. (Community Development)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Operation Dignity (OD) has been providing mobile outreach services to unsheltered individuals in the City of Alameda (City) since 2016. Mobile Outreach services include providing street-based harm reduction services, case management, housing navigation, and other supports. Mobile outreach services have expanded and become more important over the last six months during the coronavirus pandemic. OD has been a key part of the City’s efforts to ensure the on-going safety of its unsheltered residents. Therefore, staff is recommending that City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a $122,400 contract with OD to provide Mobile Outreach services for Alameda’s homeless residents for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21 (Exhibit 1).
BACKGROUND
OD is a non-profit organization that has been at the forefront of fighting homelessness in Alameda County since 1993. OD provides shelter, housing, street outreach, and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness, with expertise in serving homeless veterans. In 2016, OD was instrumental in assisting the City with developing a plan to dismantle the homeless encampment situated at the future Jean Sweeney Park. The encampment was dismantled in July 2017, to make way for construction of the park. Since then, OD has been providing critical supportive services for those displaced from the Jean Sweeney encampment as well as other unsheltered individuals on the island.
As a Mobile Outreach provider serving Alameda’s unsheltered population since 2016, OD meets with clients wherever they are located, including encampments, parking lots, bridge underpasses, tunnel entrances, parks, sidewalks, and other locations on the street. Building trust and connecting with clients to increase their receptivity to services is an important strategy for OD’s mobile outreach workers. OD staff conducts street outreach and harm-reduction support to Alameda’s unsheltered residents Monday through Friday. Activities promote and address clients’ safety and wellness and include distribution of food and water, hygiene kits, blankets, first aid kits, and like items. OD gets clients “housing-ready” by helping them clear traffic tickets and other citations, apply for identification cards, apply for jobs, and enroll in public benefits. OD provides transportation to and from appointments and supports clients with housing applications and interviews with landlords.
DISCUSSION
Mobile outreach provides critical support for Alameda’s unhoused population by reducing their harmful risks, keeping them well, and helping carve a path to end their homelessness and become self-sufficient. OD’s mobile outreach services have been essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. OD is trained and authorized by Alameda County to identify, assess, and refer unhoused individuals that show symptoms for COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone that tested positive for the virus, so that they can properly quarantined. OD is also authorized by Alameda County to make referrals for Project Roomkey by identifying homeless older adults and those whose medical conditions that make them vulnerable to the virus. When the City acquired four FEMA trailers as part of Project Roomkey, OD included the trailer site as part of its street outreach and coordinates with the Alameda Food Bank to deliver groceries to the residents. OD also conducts weekly inspection of the trainers and safety checks of FEMA trailer residents.
Homelessness continues to be a crisis in the Bay Area and in California. Between 2017 and 2019, Alameda County’s homeless population grew by 43%. During this same period, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Alameda increased by 13%, from 204 to 231. The economic downturn and massive unemployment brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic will further exacerbate homelessness.
Mobile outreach services is an essential component to providing compassionate and vital support to those challenged with homelessness living on the streets in Alameda. Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with OD to continue to provide mobile outreach services for Alameda’s unsheltered population for FY 2020-21.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the City Manager to execute a $122,400 contract with OD to continue to provide mobile outreach services for Alameda’s unsheltered population for FY 2020-21.
• Modify the scope and/or budget of the proposed agreement with OD.
• Direct staff to solicit other proposals to provide mobile outreach services in Alameda.
• Decline to provide mobile outreach services during FY 2020-21.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds for this contract are budgeted in the Community Development Department’s FY 2020-21 budget.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Social Service Human Relations Board Charter and Ordinance authority “to improve social services in the community” (Alameda Municipal Code Section 2-11.5) and the 2018 Report on Homelessness Policies and Programs.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
The Social Vulnerability Assessment section of the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan states:
“adaptation strategies should consider how [the homeless] will receive emergency communications and how they will be sheltered. Proper, safe housing for all is an adaptation and resilience strategy. Planning strategies should always consider these vulnerable populations in adaptation efforts.”
Mobile outreach workers may be deployed to reach and help unsheltered individuals during emergency and disasters.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15601(b)(3).
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a one year agreement with Operation Dignity to provide mobile outreach services for Alameda’s unsheltered population in an amount not to exceed $122,400.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends approval of the one year agreement with Operation Dignity. This has been a beneficial contract for Alameda and I encourage the continuation of the partnership through this contract.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Director
By:
Ana Bagtas, Development Manager
Financial impact section reviewed,
By: Nancy Bronstein, Human Resources Director and Interim Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Agreement
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager