Motel Voucher Program and Shelter Services

The San Mateo County Human Services Agency (HSA) is responsible for administering federal, state, and county funded programs that protect our most vulnerable residents, provide safety net services, and provide work supports to help families achieve self-sufficiency. The agency is comprised of various branches such as Children and Family Services, Economic Self Sufficiency, Staff Development and Technology Services, Center on Homelessness, and Employment Services.

HSA's Employment Services branch operates the Service Connect program which offers reentry and employment support services to justice-involved individuals to help them successfully reintegrate into the community and reduce recidivism. Services include case management, job training and placement, mentorship, transportation and clothing vouchers, temporary emergency shelter and food, and health services (screening and treatment for mental health/substance use).

HSA is seeking proposals from qualified providers to administer a Service Connect Motel Voucher Program (MVP) and to designate/provide a minimum of 5 shelter beds (located in San Mateo County) for Service Connect clients in San Mateo County.

California’s Public Safety Realignment Act, or Assembly Bill 109 (AB109) shifted jurisdiction of, and funding for, supervision and incarceration of specified low-level felony offenders from state to local control with the purpose to address court mandates requiring the reduction of overcrowded conditions in California prisons. In 2014, San Mateo County developed a unified reentry plan to enhance the continuum of care between in-custody and post-custody services and programs among moderate to high-risk individuals by enhancing case management, leveraging validated risk and needs assessment tools, and adopting evidence-based practices. The overarching collaborative goals are to lower the recidivism rate; and provide treatment and resources to address underlying criminogenic behavior. Multiple County departments work together to provide collaborative services for individuals both in and out of local custody or prison. Re-entry clients are sometimes in need of emergency or temporary shelter.

HSA currently contracts with LifeMoves to operate an Overflow Shelter Program (OSP) which provides a minimum of 5 shelter beds, and motel vouchers (as needed) to prevent Service Connect clients from experiencing homelessness. The current agreement is set to expire June 30, 2025.

HSA is seeking proposals from qualified providers who have the ability and capacity to administer MVP for Service Connect; to designate a minimum of 5 shelter beds for Service Connect clients; and to provide ancillary shelter services beginning July 1, 2025. The initial contract term is 3 years with an option to extend for an additional 2 years.

If an award is made, clients would be referred to Contractor via Service Connect staff to receive motel voucher services. The number of clients referred monthly will vary, however on average 10 clients per month were referred to motels between November 2023-24. Services provided under the Motel Voucher Program must be documented timely and accurately in the County's Homeless Information Management System (HMIS) called Clarity.