Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: March 13, 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 Amendment No. 3, Contract Y23-2206, The Homeless Services Drop-in Center
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Amendment No. 3, Contract Y23-2206, The Homeless Services Drop-in Center, with Samaritan Resource Center, Inc. in the amount of $933,193.74, for a revised total contract amount of $1,101,289.74. ([Community and Family Services Department Mental Health and Homelessness Division] Procurement Division)
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PROCUREMENT:
In response to House Bill 1365 and Orange County’s Anti-Camping Ordinance, the Mayor committed additional county funding for expansion of homeless services. The funding increase will facilitate additional homeless services by operating up to 30 bridge housing hotel units, offer financial assistance to assist families to secure permanent housing, and employ additional staff to provide case management and supportive services through the contract term which ends September 30, 2025.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account number 0001-062-2504-8610.
REMARKS:
Samaritan Resource Center, Inc. is currently serving homeless families in Orange County. The agency provides daily drop-in essential services at their East Orange County location. Families and individuals experiencing homelessness may receive case management, referrals, mental health counseling, food, clothing, shower, laundry services, and coordination of services.
The Point in Time Count, as well as a recent Community Analysis, document that there are not sufficient shelter beds available for the unsheltered individuals and families who are sleeping in unauthorized places in our county. By adding the bridge housing component, the agency will transition vulnerable clients out of homelessness, providing a stable temporary environment and allowing them to stabilize while working towards securing permanent housing. During the bridge housing period, clients will receive tailored case management, employment assistance, short term rental assistance, and supportive services aimed at eliminating housing and self-sufficiency barriers. Bridge housing allows time to address issues that may have contributed to homelessness. Through individualized case management, this project will also provide families with an opportunity to connect with community resources. Families in bridge housing will be expected to work their individual case plans; failure to do so will result in removal from bridge housing. In addition, providing temporary bridge housing alleviates pressure on emergency shelters, allowing them to serve more people in crisis.
On September 27, 2022, the Board authorized award of Contract Y23-2206 to Samaritan Resource Center, Inc., in the total contract award amount of $160,000 for a one-year term.
Previous contract amendments are as follows:
Amendment No. 1: Renewed contract for the period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024. Increased the contract amount by $3,200, for a revised total contract amount of $163,200.
Amendment No. 2: Renewed contract for the period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. Increased contract amount by $4,896, for a revised total contract amount of $168,096.