Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: March 6, 2025
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
FROM: Carrie Mathes, CFCM, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M., Manager II, Procurement Division
CONTACT: Isabelle Klier-Graham, Manager, Mental Health and Homelessness Division
PHONE: 407-836-3187
SUBJECT: Approval of Contract Y25-2221, 3 Bridges Program and Housing Services
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Approval of Contract Y25-2221, 3 Bridges Program and Housing Services, with Grand Avenue Economic Community Development Corporation, in the total contract award amount of $474,931.39 for a six-month term. Further request Board authorization for the Procurement Division to renew the contract for four additional one-year terms. ([Community and Family Services Department Mental Health and Homelessness Division] Procurement Division)
body
PROCUREMENT:
This contract will provide bridge housing, short-term rapid rehousing rental assistance, case management, and supportive services to Orange County homeless individuals 50 years of age or older.
This contract will prioritize local law enforcement referrals. Grand Avenue Economic Community Development Corporation will reserve 10 units at Maxwell Terrace located at 3200 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808. Units will be utilized for law enforcement drop-offs twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week. Law enforcement referrals will be placed in bridge housing and will immediately start working with a case manager towards the permanent housing goal while receiving supportive services. The initial performance period is upon contract execution through September 30, 2025. The annual value of each one-year renewal term is $949,862.78.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account number 0001-062-2501-8610.
APPROVALS:
The Mental Health and Homelessness Division concurs with this request.
REMARKS:
In accordance with the Code of Ordinances, Part I, Chapter 17, Article III, Section 17-286 - Application and exclusions, agreements between the Board and nonprofit organizations are excluded from competitive procurement requirements.
This service provides immediate bridge housing placement, case management, and short-term rental assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness. In collaboration with local law enforcement, unsheltered individuals will be transported to the Maxwell Garden facility. Individuals 50 years of age and older are a vulnerable population and often with limited resources. This program will deliver supportive services to assist homeless individuals in their journey to become self-sufficient, connecting them with targeted resources.
The ultimate outcome of the service is permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
This project will further provide individuals with access to services currently in place through the agency such as food pantry, employment center, clothing, bus passes, and culinary program.
Program Goals:
1. To reduce homelessness through immediate bridge housing placement and case management with an end goal of securing permanent housing.
2. Deliver supportive services designed to help individuals become self- sufficient.
3. Connect individuals with targeted resources and permanent housing options that will include short-term Rapid Rehousing rental assistance.
4. To enhance quality of life by providing crucial services to end the homelessness episode.
Enrollment/referral criteria is specifically for homeless individuals 50 yrs of age or older, referred by local law enforcement.
According to the 2024 Point in Time count completed annually by the lead agency, Homeless Services Network, individuals 50+ are among the fastest growing unhoused subpopulation. Therefore, the division anticipates that once trained, law enforcement will utilize this resource to its fullest. Because this is a new project, it is difficult to estimate the number of clients that will be eligible and willing to participate. However, the division will monitor the utilization of beds and make adjustments, accordingly.
The County will serve as the primary source of funding for this project.
According to the provisions of this contract, the agency will submit monthly invoices for payment reimbursement, and quarterly programmatic reports that will highlight the specific project outcomes included in the contract and scope of services.