Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
MAY 16, 2019
Subject
SUBJECT: CONTRACT MODIFICATION - LA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES C3 HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAMS
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to execute Contract Modification No. 1 to Contract No. H-705713 with Los Angeles County Department of Health Services to extend the contract for Metro’s C3 (city, county, community) homeless outreach teams for an additional two years at the cost of $4,940,000 annually for a total cost of $9,880,000, inclusive of administrative fees.
Issue
ISSUE
In light of the broader LA County and nationwide homeless crisis Metro deploys eight C3 homeless outreach teams system wide, seven days a week on rail, bus and at Union Station. Addressing homeless on the Metro system remains an ever present need and therefore, the requests is to extend the C3 outreach for two years through May 2021.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
LA County Homeless Crisis
Metro has been impacted by LA County’s homeless crisis. According to the 2018 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, 53,000 people in LA County are homeless and seventy-five percent of those homeless individuals are without shelter. Due to the lack of available shelter space and 24-hour operating shelters County-wide, homeless individuals have taken to Metro’s system and properties for alternative shelter.
History
In spring 2016, Metro created the Metro Homeless Task Force to address the displaced persons that have turned to Metro system and property for alternative shelter. Out of the Task Force, Metro created the Metro Transit Homeless Action Plan which was presented to the Metro Board of Directors in February 2017. The Action Plan’s goals are to enhance the customer experience, maintain a safe and secure system, and provide coordinated outreach. Components of the plan include Metro’s coordination with County and City Measure H and Measure HHH. The plan also called for the hiring of two C3 teams (County, City, Community) through the County Department of Health Services as indicated by Metro’s Board of Directors. The C3 teams are to provide coordinated and responsive outreach to the homeless and to ultimately get them in housing resources.
Metro’s C3 Teams
Metro’s C3 Homeless Outreach teams’ twelve-month pilot program began on May 22, 2017 with initial homeless outreach on the Red Line. In FY19 Metro expanded the C3 teams from two to eight teams to cover rail, night owl bus and Union Station.
Since the launch of Metro’s C3 Homeless Outreach teams in May 22, 2017, Metro’s C3 teams have provided substantial homeless outreach through March 31, 2019-- with 4,798 total unduplicated homeless contacts,1,137 of whom have been linked to permanent housing solutions with a total of 88 homeless persons permanently housed.
With Metro System Security and Law Enforcement personnel as the lead, Metro’s C3 teams coordinate with LAPD’s Homeless Outreach and Protective Engagement (HOPE) Teams, LASD’s Mental Evaluation Teams (MET), Long Beach PD, and Metro’s Transit Security Officers, in an effort to engage the homeless and provide placement into services. This coordination maintains Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance while providing coordinated and responsive homeless outreach.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding is included in the FY20 Proposed budget in Cost Center 2610, Account 50316, Project 306001. Funding for this project will come from federal, state, and local sources including sales taxes and fares that are eligible for bus and rail capital and operating projects. The Project Manager is responsible for including the cost in future budget years.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The program described supports Goal #2 and #4 of Metro’s Strategic Goals. Goal #2, Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system; and Goal #4, Transform Los Angeles County through regional collaboration and national leadership
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The alternative would be to cancel the C3 outreach on our system and allow all outreach to homeless be through law enforcement, however, that path forward is not recommended as there are individuals who are homeless who prefer to not work with law enforcement and would otherwise reject receiving housing if the social service component was not integrated into Metro’s homeless engagement.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval of the requested Metro will enter into a two year contract with the LA County Department of Health Services.
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Jennifer E. Loew, Transit Security Special Project Manager, System Security and Law Enforcement, (213) 922-3646
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Alex Z. Wiggins, Chief, System Security & Law Enforcement (213) 922-4433
Debra Avila, Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 418-3051
