DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Reallocation of General Funds from Family Endeavors to Haven for Hope for the Continuation of the Homeless Veteran Navigator Program
SUMMARY:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is requesting authorization to reallocate $150,000 in FY 2017 General Funds awarded to Family Endeavors through Ordinance 2016-09-15-0693 to Haven for Hope of Bexar County for outreach and case management services of homeless veterans and chronically homeless for the period October 1, 2016-September 30, 2017. This ordinance also authorizes a funding agreement with Haven for Hope of Bexar County (Haven for Hope).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In FY 2016, through Ordinance 2015-10-15-0875 and Ordinance 2015-08-06-0651, City Council authorized the allocation of $150,000.00 in General Fund dollars to Family Endeavors for the Veterans Homeless Navigator Services program to support the Mayor’s Challenge to End Veterans Homelessness in San Antonio.
The FY 2017 Adopted Budget allocated $150,000.00 to Family Endeavors to continue Veterans Homeless Navigation Services, adopted through Ordinance 2016-15-0695, to provide outreach at the Haven for Hope Courtyard and assist in connecting Veterans to community services that will ultimately result in placement into permanent housing. The Adopted Budget also awarded $3,025,916.00 to Haven for Hope to support Haven for Hope Transitional Campus and Courtyard.
ISSUE:
On October 20, 2016, DHS received notification from Family Endeavors requesting the $150,000 awarded to Family Endeavors for FY 2017 be reallocated. Family Endeavors is realigning their program operations to focus on ensuring Veterans currently in permanent housing remain successfully housed rather than outreach to Veterans at the Haven for Hope Courtyard. In order to sustain the success of the Mayor’s Challenge to End Veterans Homelessness in San Antonio, DHS is requesting approval to reallocate the funds to Haven for Hope of Bexar County and enter into a funding agreement for those services. This action allows Haven for Hope to expand current Courtyard Navigation Services.
ALTERNATIVES:
DHS could issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals for this program which would delay courtyard navigator services for veterans.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Through this action, FY 2017 General Fund dollars totaling $150,000 are proposed to be reallocated to Haven for Hope.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the reallocation of $150,000 in General Fund to Haven for Hope from Family Endeavors and a funding agreement with Haven for Hope for the sole purpose of continuing the efforts to sustain the Mayor’s Challenge to End Veterans Homelessness in San Antonio.