Homeless Bridge Housing Services

Issuing agency:County of Orange, CASee other Bids by this agency Issuing department:Health Care AgencySee other Bids by this department Bid Comments: The County of Orange (County) Health Care Agency (HCA) is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to provide Homeless Bridge Housing Services. The primary goal of this program is to support adults living with mental illness, who are homeless, secure permanent housing. Homeless Bridge Housing Re-Entry will support adults with mental illness and are involved in the criminal justice system secure permanent housing. Homelessness is a key issue in Orange County and in the nation. Data from the Point-In-Time (PIT) Study conducted during February 2022 estimated that 5,718 individuals were homeless in Orange County at the time of the count, with an estimated 29.53% of unsheltered individuals and 28.06% of sheltered individuals identify as homeless and living with a disabling mental health condition. Various programs operate to assist

individuals who are homeless acquire permanent housing including Department of Housing Urban Development (HUD) funded Continuum of Care (CoC) Housing Program, the Mainstream Housing Voucher program, and the Emergency Housing Voucher program are all examples of voucher or certificate programs that entitle homeless individuals with a disabling condition to receive housing assistance payments to help pay their rent. Unfortunately, a considerable number of individuals with vouchers experience difficulty in locating and securing housing where they can use their voucher. With rental vacancies at a current low and the rising cost of housing in Orange County viable housing is severely limited, even with the voucher or certificate subsidy. Consequently, many voucher recipients are having a difficult time securing permanent housing and remain homeless. Many lose their vouchers because they can’t locate and lease affordable housing within specified time limits, even with multiple extensions. In addition to the various scattered site voucher opportunities available, there are also permanent supportive housing projects such as Special Needs Housing Program (SNHP)/Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) housing that individuals who apply for housing through the Coordinated Entry System may be matched to. Although being matched to this type of opportunity is a positive first step for unhoused individuals, the application and eligibility process that goes along with these opportunities is often overwhelming and requires a lot of support. The lease up and eligibility process begins approximately three months prior to move in and requires collaboration between the client, service provider, housing authority and multiple other housing partners. Securing the documents needed to proceed with the eligibility process is difficult to navigate for homeless individuals with limited resources. Along with providing shelter, Homeless Bridge Housing will address many of the barriers related to homeless individuals with serious mental illness connecting to housing resources and successfully transitioning into permanent housing by preparing clients for independent living and providing support throughout each step of the process, from housing planning, application submission, eligibility, lease up and move in. Homeless Bridge Re-Entry will offer the same services as Homeless Bridge Housing but will serve the Re-Entry population who are exiting jail and in need of shelter and permanent housing. Proposers may submit multiple proposals to provide any or all of the subpopulation focus as described in the Target Population in Section II of this RFP. Added on Jan 9, 2023:Please refer to Addendum No. 1 Added on Jan 23, 2023:Please refer to Addendum No. 2 Description: The County of Orange (County) Health Care Agency (HCA) is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to provide Homeless Bridge Housing Services. The primary goal of this program is to support adults living with mental illness, who are homeless, secure permanent housing. Homeless Bridge Housing Re-Entry will support adults with mental illness and are involved in the criminal justice system secure permanent housing. Homelessness is a key issue in Orange County and in the nation. Data from the Point-In-Time (PIT) Study conducted during February 2022 estimated that 5,718 individuals were homeless in Orange County at the time of the count, with an estimated 29.53% of unsheltered individuals and 28.06% of sheltered individuals identify as homeless and living with a disabling mental health condition. Various programs operate to assist individuals who are homeless acquire permanent housing including Department of Housing Urban Development (HUD) funded Continuum of Care (CoC) Housing Program, the Mainstream Housing Voucher program, and the Emergency Housing Voucher program are all examples of voucher or certificate programs that entitle homeless individuals with a disabling condition to receive housing assistance payments to help pay their rent. Unfortunately, a considerable number of individuals with vouchers experience difficulty in locating and securing housing where they can use their voucher. With rental vacancies at a current low and the rising cost of housing in Orange County viable housing is severely limited, even with the voucher or certificate subsidy. Consequently, many voucher recipients are having a difficult time securing permanent housing and remain homeless. Many lose their vouchers because they can’t locate and lease affordable housing within specified time limits, even with multiple extensions. In addition to the various scattered site voucher opportunities available, there are also permanent supportive housing projects such as Special Needs Housing Program (SNHP)/Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) housing that individuals who apply for housing through the Coordinated Entry System may be matched to. Although being matched to this type of opportunity is a positive first step for unhoused individuals, the application and eligibility process that goes along with these opportunities is often overwhelming and requires a lot of support. The lease up and eligibility process begins approximately three months prior to move in and requires collaboration between the client, service provider, housing authority and multiple other housing partners. Securing the documents needed to proceed with the eligibility process is difficult to navigate for homeless individuals with limited resources. Along with providing shelter, Homeless Bridge Housing will address many of the barriers related to homeless individuals with serious mental illness connecting to housing resources and successfully transitioning into permanent housing by preparing clients for independent living and providing support throughout each step of the process, from housing planning, application submission, eligibility, lease up and move in. Homeless Bridge Re-Entry will offer the same services as Homeless Bridge Housing but will serve the Re-Entry population who are exiting jail and in need of shelter and permanent housing. Proposers may submit multiple proposals to provide any or all of the subpopulation focus as described in the Target Population in Section II of this RFP. Contract duration:3 years Contract renewal:2 annual renewals Prices good for:3 years