Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: August 20, 2026
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
FROM: Carrie Mathes, FNIGP, 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 Agreement Y27-2206, Homeless Outreach and Prevention Services for the Mental Health and Homelessness Division
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Agreement Y27-2206, Homeless Outreach and Prevention Services, with Samaritan Resource Center, Inc., in the total contract award amount of $1,400,000 for a one-year term. Further request Board authorization for the Procurement Division to renew this contract for four additional one-year terms. [(Community and Family Services Department Mental Health and Homelessness Division) Procurement Division]
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PROCUREMENT:
This contract will provide crisis assistance and stabilization services through bridge housing, financial assistance, community outreach efforts, and targeted supportive services, to Orange County individuals and families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. Additionally, in response to House Bill 1365 and Orange County’s Anti-Camping Ordinance, the Mayor committed additional County funding to expand homeless services and outreach efforts. The performance period will be October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account number 0001-062-2501-8610.
APPROVALS:
The Mental Health and Homelessness Division concurs with this recommendation.
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.
Based on the historical context of this contract, the vendor’s demonstrated ability to provide the required services, the resources necessary to achieve the desired outcomes, the requested level of staffing, services, and associated costs is considered reasonable and appropriate. The pricing reflects the operational requirements necessary to successfully deliver the contracted services and meet established performance expectations. The County will continue to ensure that costs associated with the proposed services are reasonable, necessary, and appropriate based on the scope of services to be provided. During the past 12 months, approximately 800 clients were served with ARPA funds. The Division’s goal is to continue providing services to a similar number of clients, or more, ensuring that available funding is used efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of the community.
This contract will provide crisis assistance and stabilization services through bridge housing, financial assistance, community outreach efforts, and targeted supportive services, to Orange County individuals and families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness.
The agency will employ staff to provide case management and other critical services and will support the County’s encampment initiatives through an outreach team that will engage clients in their environment and connect them with appropriate resources.
Program Goals:
1. Reduce homelessness through immediate bridge housing placement and case management, with the goal of securing permanent housing.
2. Deliver supportive services designed to help individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency.
3. Connect individuals and families with targeted resources and permanent housing options while supporting Orange County’s encampment response efforts.
4. Enhance quality of life by providing critical services aimed at ending episodes of homelessness.
Samaritan Resource Center, Inc. currently provides daily drop-in essential services at its East Orange County location.
The point-in-time count indicates that there are not sufficient shelter beds available for unsheltered individuals and families who are sleeping in unauthorized locations throughout the County.
Through the bridge housing component, the agency will transition vulnerable individuals and families out of homelessness by providing a stable, temporary environment, allowing them to stabilize while working toward securing permanent housing. During the bridge housing period, clients will receive tailored case management, employment assistance, and supportive services aimed at eliminating housing barriers and improving self-sufficiency. Providing temporary bridge housing alleviates pressure on emergency shelters, enabling them to serve a greater number of individuals in crisis.
Individuals and families in bridge housing will be expected to comply with their individualized case plans; failure to do so may result in removal from bridge housing.
Prevention and crisis assistance services will help individuals and families remove barriers and maintain housing stability, reducing the risk of homelessness.
The outreach team will prioritize harm reduction, safety, and dignity by meeting clients where they are and engaging them at their own pace to reduce barriers to housing stability and overall well-being.
The services are available to any eligible Orange County unhoused individual or family who meets program criteria. Samaritan Resource Center is available Monday through Friday to provide referrals, outreach, and in-person assessments. In accordance with the provisions of this contract, the agency will submit monthly invoices for reimbursement and quarterly programmatic reports detailing project outcomes and activities outlined in the contract and scope of services.