THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This recommendation supports the Commission Value of “Approaching human services collaboratively and compassionately, with special emphasis on the most vulnerable,” and the Goal to “Collaborate with public and private partners to find creative, equitable, and responsible solutions to systemic community problems, especially permanent supportive housing for persons experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.” The termination of the Agreement will allow for the provision of homeless services at the NHAC by a different service provider.
In December 1998, the County and SLC agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding recognizing the City of Pompano Beach had identified that SLC would be allocated space at the NHAC. The NHAC was in the process of being sited and constructed by the County. In 2003, Episcopal Mental Health Ministries, Inc. began utilizing SLC at the NHAC for the provision of homeless day respite and other supportive services to homeless individuals and families in Broward County through a sub-lease with Miami Rescue Mission d/b/a Broward Outreach Center. Although SLC has provided these services since that time, there was not a contractual lease relationship between Broward County and SLC.
On September 27, 2012 (Item No. 24) the Board approved a multi-year lease between the County and SLC to define the terms and conditions of occupancy at the NHAC. Over the following years, County staff has provided technical assistance and held many meetings with SLC to address ongoing concerns. Due to a critical need for additional shelter beds in the north area of the County, on February 14, 2017 (Item No. 5), the Board approved funding for SLC to provide 29 Low-Demand Emergency Shelter beds to the homeless for overnight stays at the NHAC facility resulting in Agreement No. 17-CP-HIP-8361-01.
In line with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development guidelines, the County recently revised its approach to providing emergency shelter services by transitioning the NHAC to a Low-Demand service model for individuals experiencing homelessness. To ensure continuity of services and efficient use of space at the NHAC, County staff recommends the use of one agency to occupy the NHAC facility and provide shelter services. Accordingly, staff recommends termination of the Agreement with SLC, allowing the new provider to manage and operate all homeless services at the NHAC facility, including the day respite and Low-Demand Emergency Shelter beds previously provided by SLC. Board approval of the new provider to operate the NHAC is sought in a separate agenda item.
The terms of the lease between the County and SLC that expired on September 30, 2018, provided for SLC to continue to occupy the space on a month-to-month basis, unless the County provides a notice to vacate. Upon termination of the Agreement, Real Property will provide notice to SLC to vacate the property.
Although a 30-day notice to vacate and discontinue services is required, staff recommends a 60-day notice to SLC due to the length of time that SLC has occupied the NHAC facility. Therefore, SLC will be required to vacate the NHAC premises by March 31, 2019.
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