By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The city is moving forward with CARES Act-funded social service projects to help those harmed by the pandemic, including homeless people.
The Assembly has dedicated up to $250,000 to assist this segment of the population, and on Wednesday issued a request for information to “gauge provider interest in establishing and operating a daytime indoor shelter for adults experiencing homelessness due to COVID-19, as well as unsheltered adults who are at risk of COVID-19 infection due to lack of safe indoor space during inclement cold-season weather.”
The deadline for proposals is 5 p.m. September 18.
The project is aimed at helping “unsheltered persons” who have found their options for shelter are limited or no longer available due to COVID-19 restrictions, City Administrator John Leach said.
Hotels, motels, churches, nonprofit organizations or other private companies may have ideas and resources listed as requirements in the RFI, he said.
“There’s all kinds of opportunities,” Leach said. “It’s seeing who has a good plan and who’s willing to enact it.”
City-owned property is not eligible and the purpose must be a permitted use in the proposed location.
There are other requirements about eligibility, including adequate space and ventilation, restrooms, hot running water, free wi-fi and space to charge mobile devices, “and preferably a shower, washer and dryer.” COVID prevention measures are also required.
The city may use the information submitted to help craft a request for proposals or another method for an official solicitation of services.
But Leach added that it should be “loud and clear” that the goal is for a short-term program related to COVID.
“It’s to provide shelter, and it has to be tied to COVID and preventing the infectious spread of it,” he said.
If the city sees a spike in coronavirus cases, and there is once again a “hunker down” order, there will be even fewer options for the homeless than the first time, Leach said.
“That’s what this service is meant to provide – mitigate the spread of the virus,” he said.
With the CARES Act spending deadline set at Dec. 30, the program needs to be short-term, Leach said.
Infrastructure and policy issues aside, Leach said, “There’s no way we can set up and run a homeless shelter in three months.”
The $250,000 will come out of the $750,000 the Assembly has dedicated to housing support.
On another front the city is working on a sub-recipient agreement with the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to extend those programs in mortgage and rent housing relief, using the other $500,000 in the housing support category.
Of the city’s $14 million in CARES Act funds, the Assembly dedicated $4.5 million to moorage and utility support, which started in mid-August. The Assembly has also dedicated $430,000 to the school district for computers and additional staff related to distance learning. The city is processing applications for a share of the $5 million set aside for helping businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID, and will spend $1 million on mitigation measures to protect city staff, emergency responders and the public. Some $627,653 is available in contingency.
Leach today provided an update on other CARES Act projects, under the $2.5 million in “new city programs” category. Most of the programs involve working with local nonprofits in established programs.
Childcare ($500,000) – Of this amount $400,000 is dedicated to keeping daycare centers -which are operating at decreased capacity - open with COVID restrictions in place. The other $100,000 is available to extend or expand childcare opportunities as needed. The city is working with the Association for the Education of Young Children.
Food Security ($200,000) – The city is working in partnership with Sitka Tribe of Alaska to manage the program under a subrecipient agreement. Leach said STA has a “single federal audit,” and extensive experience working with federal grants. Among the programs is one to purchase fish from local fishermen and processors. “It’s getting money back into the community,” Leach said. STA is working with other nonprofits and agencies in town on food supply and distribution programs.
Behavioral and mental health support ($300,000) – Leach said five local entities have responded to the opportunity to provide services to those without insurance coverage who need mental health and behavioral health counseling. Some funds also will go toward expanding the Employee Assistance Program to city employees, currently available for School District staff.
Transitional employment program ($750,000) – Sitka Conservation Society was awarded a $300,000 contract in a competitive bidding process. SCS said it plans to hire temporary workers for trail work, trail system planning, facilities maintenance and work at Goddard Hot Springs and the Tom Young Cabin. SCS is working with a number of local nonprofits, and will employ those who are “unemployed, underemployed or furloughed due to COVID,” said SCS director Andrew Thoms. Some of the funds will go toward hiring temporary city workers for parks and recreation projects, deferred maintenance, and clerical work at city hall, with a similar goal of employing those who have lost their jobs, or had hours cut back, due to the pandemic.
