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 Y27-2205 for Homelessness Outreach and Prevention Services for the Mental Health and Homelessness Division
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Agreement Y27-2205 for Homelessness Outreach and Prevention Services for the Mental Health and Homelessness Division, with Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc., in the total contract award amount of $1,466,486 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 agreement will support outreach to unhoused individuals in Orange County, diversion from shelter and homelessness when possible, and brief one-time housing assistance for Orange County residents facing eviction or experiencing homelessness. The period of performance is October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account numbers 0001-062-2501-8610 and 0001-062-2504-8610.
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.
The funding will allow for the continuation of homeless prevention and diversion services for residents of Orange County, Florida, and to continue homeless outreach to the more underserved outer regions of the County. This will be accomplished within established guidelines and additional added internal and external service coordination.
The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc. (the “Coalition”), a current provider of diversion and prevention in Orange County, will continue availability to residents meeting criteria and entering the homeless system in Orange County.
The COVID-19 emergency had caused a substantial increase in families and individuals to losing employment, losing their housing, and suffering from other detrimental impacts including social, emotional, mental, and physical health distress. Research demonstrates an increase in the number of families and individuals affected by COVID-19. As one of the many consequences of COVID-19, housing insecurity has increased resulting in an increase in the number of individuals seeking shelter and housing assistance.
The impacted class are residents of Orange County who are low-income, defined as having a household income of 185% or less of the most current federal poverty guidelines, or who have otherwise suffered due to:
2. Homelessness or
3. Imminent risk of homelessness
Residents of Orange County in need can be referred or self-referred when seeking shelter and/or entering the homeless system of care. The Subrecipient will assess for need, impact, and provide resources, some of which may be time limited and/or externally coordinated.
The Coalition plays a significant role in the community as a provider of support program services, amongst a variety of other services focused on Prevention, Diversion, Rapid Rehousing, and non-clinical Healthcare Coordination. Services include case management, connection to housing resources.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness recommends diversion as the initial stage of the crisis response system. Safe and appropriate diversion is a strategy that prevents homelessness by helping people experiencing a housing crisis to preserve their current housing situation or make immediate alternative arrangements.
1. Diversion prevents homelessness for people seeking emergency services by helping them identify immediate alternate housing arrangements or helps them stay where they are if safe and appropriate.
2. Diversion is problem-solving and solutions-focused.
3. Diversion is not a separate "program" but rather part of the entire crisis response system.
4. Diversion should always be safe and appropriate for the person or household seeking help
5. Diversion should feel like a service, not like being turned away with no assistance.
6. Diversion happens through a coordinated entry process and at the shelter front door.
Continuation of these essential services demonstrates Orange County’s commitment to work locally with the regional continuum of care and its partners to address the growing number of unhoused individuals and families. The goal is to serve over 800 individuals annually.