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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 11-14-23; 6-b - Approval of Budget Amendment #3-A to Fund the Bridge Housing Opportunity at 2032 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill in Collaboration with Alliance Health and Caramore, Inc 1 ORD-2023-040 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 14, 2023 Action Agenda Item No. 6-b SUBJECT: Approval of Budget Amendment #3-A to Fund the Bridge Housing Opportunity at 2032 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill in Collaboration with Alliance Health and Caramore, Inc. DEPARTMENTS: Housing, Criminal Justice Resource ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Partnership to End Homelessness Gaps Rachel Waltz, 919-245-2496 Analysis Caitlin Fenhagen, 919-245-2303 Cost Estimates Alliance PowerPoint Presentation PURPOSE: To approve Budget Amendment #3-A to provide start-up and short-term operational funding for a Bridge Housing program at 2032 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill in collaboration with Alliance Health and Caramore, Inc. BACKGROUND: Bridge Housing and therapeutic support is an evidence-based, best practice for ensuring stabilization for individuals exiting homelessness, incarceration and institutions. This short-term, low barrier housing coupled with supportive services is designed to enhance opportunities for an individual's successful transition into permanent housing. The model provides safe and temporary housing for 60 to 120 days with a focus on recovery supports, developing independent living skills, connections to housing navigation, case management and peer support. Bridge Housing has been identified as a critical need in the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness System Gaps Analysis for several years. Currently, there is no accessible, non- voucher Bridge Housing serving residents in Orange County seeking to exit homelessness or seeking short-term stabilization following reentry from incarceration or institutionalization. In July 2023, Ann Oshel, the Alliance Health Vice President for Community Health and Well-Being, approached Orange County regarding a residential property at 2032 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill that was vacant and owned by Caramore, Inc. Ms. Oshel suggested that the property could be reimagined to fill an Orange County housing need. The residence had been previously operated since 2015 as a licensed, long-term group home for persons with mental illness. The property was owned by Gary Gaddy and Sandra Herring with the intended purpose of providing long-term supportive housing for individuals with mental health needs. The group home closed prior to COVID and was abandoned by the provider. The owners then gifted the property to Caramore Inc., in 2019 with the expressed purpose of serving individuals with behavioral needs facing housing crisis. The five-bedroom, brick ranch home on .75 acres of land is centrally located on Homestead Road in Chapel Hill, next to a city bus stop, and neighboring the Church of the 2 Advocate, whose property contains several Pee Wee Homes. In addition, the property at 2032 Homestead Road is in close proximity to Inter-faith Council (IFC) properties, as well as Orange County's Southern Human Services Center and Seymour Center. Since assuming ownership, Caramore has provided enhancements to the home and ensured its upkeep. Over the last several months, Alliance Health, Caramore and Orange County human services leaders have been discussing whether this property could be utilized to fill critical housing, behavioral health and reentry needs. It was determined by these stakeholders that the property could best serve the community as a new collaborative Bridge Housing program for individuals with behavioral health diagnoses. With escalating numbers of residents in Orange County experiencing homelessness with behavioral health needs seeking stabilization and support on their way to permanent housing, this program will provide critical housing and interventions for their support. The Bridge Housing program at 2032 Homestead Road will serve six individuals in four bedrooms for up to five months. Four (4) of the beds will serve individuals identified by Orange County, and two (2) beds will serve individuals identified by Alliance Health. The program will be staffed seven (7) days a week with two (2) positions providing case management and peer support through individual and group programming. Orange County housing, behavioral health, reentry and social service providers will have full access to the home to provide necessary additional supports. Referrals to fill the four (4) Orange County-funded beds will be placed via Coordinated Entry to ensure alignment with Orange County priorities, reduce duplication of efforts, and facilitate faster connection to permanent housing. The program would be managed by Caramore under a contract with Alliance Health. As Alliance Health already has an existing relationship with Caramore, this additional program collaboration would be far more cost-effective than retaining a new provider. Since 1974, Caramore has been in Chapel Hill providing vocational and residential support services to adults living with mental illness. The Caramore model of services is client-centered and effective, with its services being advocacy-oriented and community-based. Over the years, thousands of Caramore clients have successfully transitioned to independent living and employment. The Homestead property and the collaboration between Alliance Health, Caramore and Orange County provides a truly unique opportunity to provide a centrally-located, short-term supportive housing model that fills a significant gap in the Homeless System Gaps Analysis. The Town of Chapel Hill has been notified of this proposal for the property at 2032 Homestead Road, and Housing Director Sarah Vinas has ensured Orange County that there are no issues from a zoning perspective and that implementation efforts can proceed without community engagement or additional notification being required. The financing of this Bridge Housing program will be a partnership between Orange County, Caramore and Alliance Health. This chart below details the costs associated with a necessary renovation, the costs to Caramore during the two-month renovation, the start-up costs and the annual operating expenses for the six-bed program. 3 Brid a Housing Program at 2032 Homestead Road EXPENSES AMOUNT RESPONSIBLE PARTY Renovation of Basement to $50,000 Alliance Health include New Bathroom Payment for Caramore Costs $36,972 Alliance Health during Two (2) Months of Renovation Start-Up Costs $20,850 Orange County Annual Operations Costs for Six $221,831 2/3 Orange County, 1/3 Alliance (6) Beds Health For Four(4)beds $147,887 Orange County For Two (2)Beds $73,944 Alliance Health Six(6) Months Operational Costs for Four(4) $73,944 Orange County Beds County staff proposes that the Board consider utilizing $94,794 of funds from the Social Justice Reserve Fund to support the Orange County portion of this project (start-up costs and six (6) months of operational expenses for four (4) beds as highlighted above). The funding would be contingent upon Alliance Health's funding for the necessary renovations to the property, the payment by Alliance Health for two (2) months of rent to Caramore during the renovations and the assumption of the operational costs for two (2) beds annually. Operational funding after the first six (6) months for the four (4) Orange County beds would be requested as part of the FY 2024/2025 Partnership to End Homelessness budget process. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Financial Impacts are included in the background information above. Approval would authorize the transfer of $94,794 from the Social Justice Reserve funds. The approved budget for the Social Justice Reserve was $187,487, and if the Board approves this funding, a balance of $92,693 would remain. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. • GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang activity, substance use and domestic violence. 4 This initiative seeks to promote and ensure a community network of basic human services and infrastructure that maintains, protects, and promotes the well-being of all County residents. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There are no known Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impacts associated with this item at this time. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve Budget Amendment #3-A to transfer $94,794 from the Social Justice Reserve Fund for the start-up costs and six (6) months of operational expenses for a new Bridge Housing program at 2032 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill in collaboration with Alliance Health and Caramore, Inc. 5 �,J Orange County Jf Partnership to End Homelessness l Update to Homeless System Gaps Analysis Gap Progress since June Status Notes Needed to 2019 Fill Bridge Reentry House Plus UNFILLED Orange County Local Reentry Depends on Housing opened summer 2021 Council (LRC)seeing 65 approach to provide bridge people exiting jail or prison housing to up to 3 per year needed an average participants at a time, of 60 nights stay plus a peer house manager; Program has not operated according to best practices and has not seen program flow; OCPEH, CJRD, DSS Alliance Health, and Caramore are exploring an alternative approach Program Description:There is a critical need for short-term, low barrier reentry housing and supporting services to help reentering individuals re-integrate into the community Bridge Housing and support is an evidence-based best practice for ensuring stabilization and support for people reentering from incarceration, which has been identified as a critical priority by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Marcia Fudge. Approach One: Bridge Housing funds allow for short-term supportive stabilization housing at hotels for up to 60 days for 55 reentering individuals per year and supportive services for 65 individuals through Reentry House Plus. Reentry House Plus has contracted with the SWIT(Success While in Transition) program run by individuals who themselves have reentered successfully to provide a month-long course and ongoing one-on-one case management and peer mentoring for these individuals in collaboration with our Local Reentry Council. Approach Two: Bridge Housing funds allow for a home-based short-term supportive stabilization and connection with permanent housing for individuals experiencing homelessness and exiting institutions. Caramore would provide site-based supportive services with support from Alliance Health. OCPEH partners would provide referral via Coordinated Entry and connection to permanent housing, including Rapid Re-housing, Behavioral Health housing like Transition to Community Living, and other permanent housing where appropriate. Program would serve up to six individuals for stays up to ninety days for up to twenty-four people served annually. Program Budget: Approach One: Hotels—55 people per year, an average of 60 nights, $55/night $181,500 Services—SWIT classes, $600/person for 65 people $ 39,000 TOTAL $220,500 Approach Two: Alliance Health—2 beds (1/3) $73,944 Orange County—4 beds (2/3) $147,887 TOTAL Operating Costs—rent, utilities, client supports, staffing $221,831 startup cost-OCT 2023 Revised Caramore Community,Inc. 10/17/2023 1 ;44 PM Operational and Start Up Cost Estimates for Bridge Housing at Homestead Start Up Expenses amount Comments/-Notes security system $500 doorbell camera power wash exterior $500 moving expenses $500 we have some furnishing at CCI that can be used at Homestead, delivering of furnishings ramp to main floor $3,000 updated per Jay Miller on OCT 16, 2023 grab bars in bathrooms $50€7 just for the two currently existing full bathrooms, the future, added BA reinforce stair railings-interior&exterior $500 improve exterior lighting $750 address trip hazard driveway and walk ways $750 upgrade exterior and interior door lock $750 paint, repair back deck $500 cut back hedges near house,and at perimeter $5,000 address rotten wood exterior, per Jay Miller $2,000 Jay has photos clean out gutters $500 electrical upgrades $0 included in capital improvement project ensure windows operational $750 able to escape in event of fire landscaping $2,000 clear junky wooded areas at perimeters Bedroom furnishings $4,000 $1,000 per BR bedfrarime,box spring,mattress ensure beds are low to ground, mattress have encasement re bedbugs, incontinence, night stand smolt frig dresser bed linens desk,bulletin board,chair,lamp room dividers to facilitate room sharing window coverings,blinds kitchen stuff $500.00 plates, bowls, pats, pans, coffee maker, dishtowel, eating utensils, kitchen table and chairs $250.00 sofa $250.00 tv $500.00 recliners $500.00 coffee table $100.00 lamps, stuff to hang on walls $250.00 Estimated Start Up Cost T6TAI $20,850.00 Z.\Chapman AII\BcokkeepingBudgetFinanceBanking\Homestead Operational and Start Up Cost Oct 2023 Revised 1 of 1 operational -OCT 2023 Revised Caramore Community,Inc_ 20/17/2023 12:44 PM Operational and Start Up Cost Estimates for Bridge Housing at Homestead Operational Expenses Amount YR Comments Nates 1 FTE as Bridge House Manager, plus 4 partime employees providing onsite supervision 7 days per Salary and Wages - Direct Care $117,022 week QMHP to supervise Homestead Bridge House Manager(cost based on existing Program Director cost Salary-Program Supervision $10,125 per) Travel/Transportation $2,000 gas,staff mileage reimbursement Client Assistance Activities $11,272 Client food, client house hold supplies, client clothing and hygiene items insurance -.business auto $2,351 cost base existing per vehicle insurance cost; one vehicle allocated to Bridge House- Homestead Insurance-property $1,829 homeownership cost Insurance -general liability $2,266 cost estimate based on 1 "faculty"and 6 "students"/clients served Insurance- professional liablity $3,781 cost estimate based on 3 FTE Property Repair and Maintenance $1,500 depends, in part of how many start up cost are actually addressed Property Taxes $3,959 Orange tax, Orange storm water,Chapel Hill and Carrboron school tax and New Hope fire tax Caramore would typically charge rent to tenants; rental income would cover cost for repair Depreciation expense/ reserve maintenance $6,000 maintenance; at the conclusion of the project, Caramore needs money in reserve for future expenses. Communications $4,294 Verzion cell phone cost for onsite employees Meeting Conference Expense $511 Staff meetings, internal staff trainings, staff orientation meetings- largely food related cost Office Supplies/ Materials $3,790 Office supplies, matress bedcovers, bed linens, medication security Rent $0 Caramore owns property outright, no mortgage cost Utilities $12,000 power,water,gas and internet Trash removal service $720 $60 per month via private company Lawn Maintenance $1,440 $120 per month subtotal $184,859 Admininstative Overhead $36,972 20%--services requires extensive accounting and detailed bill invoicing supports Estimated Annual Operational Cost TOTAL $221,831 $18,486 estimated monthly cost $101 per client, per night cost estimate,assume at full capacity of 6 Z:`Chapman AII\BookkeepingBudgetFinanceBanking\Homestead Operational and Start Up Cost Oct 2023 Revised 1 of 1 ii • Aft AV Presentation to the O e County Board of-County Commissioners 11/14/23 9 What is Bridge Housing ? • Provides safe and temporary housing for persons exiting out of institutions or homelessness with behavioral health needs • 3-5 month program focusing on recovery supports, independent living skills and housing search/navigation • On site services include case management and peer support specialists • Goal is to secure permanent supportive housing and connection to all needed services and supports 10 Our Focus Population • Persons living in, or at risk of, homelessness with primary mental illness or co-occurring substance use • Persons with episodic engagement in behavioral health services who have had difficulty engaging in treatment • Persons who have accessed crisis services, had interactions with law enforcement or are returning from incarceration • Persons who have expressed a desire or willingness to pursue permanent supportive housing Overview of Program • Capacity to serve 6 participants * 4 referred through Orange County referred through • Onsite staff 7 days per week • Case Management • Peer Support • Individual • • • • • support Recovery • • Independent ' • ' • ' living building• • ;,i 12 Program Operations • Program Referrals • 4 referred through Orange County • Coordinated Entry via support from Local *• ,_ - Re-Entry Council and Street Outreach }4 . Harm Reduction and Deflection • 2 referred through Alliance • To address Emergency Department utilization • Permanent Housing Placement • Caramore providers will partner with homeless system providers to utilize Continuum of Care funded program vacancies, behavioral health housing, and mainstream housing based upon eligibility 13 Program Outcomes • 100% of participants linked to behavioral health and physical health services • 100% of participants engage in their Person Centered Plan including crisis and wellness planning • 100% of residents engage in pre-tenancy education • 100% of participants connected to eligible benefits • 100% of participants will be entered into Coordinated Entry and linked to Orange County supportive housing services 14 Bridge Housing Works • Alliance has implemented 5 bridge housing programs beginning in 2017 • Supports a Housing First approach • Reduces other public costs such as jail stays and frequent interactions with first responders • Reduces the suffering and trauma of homelessness • Improves quality of life outcomes through the ultimate goal of permanent supportive housing