2020 Shelter Surge & Street to Housing RRH RFQs

The Homeless Strategy & Investment (HSI) Division of the Seattle Human Services Department(HSD) is pleased to announce the availability of two Request for Qualification (RFQ) processes:

1) The 2020 Shelter Surge RFQ will identify eligible homeless services agencies to operate and provide supportive services at approximately 425 new single adult emergency shelter spaces. Beginning in December 2020, HSD expects to have access to approximately 300 temporary shelter units located at leased hotel properties and 125 units of new enhanced shelter spaces. Through this RFQ process HSD is also identifying agencies to support the possible expansion of the tiny house village program in FY 2021.

HSD will access a range of funding sources to support the Shelter Surge projects awarded through these RFQs. Fund sources may include HSD General Fund, Emergency Solutions Grant - Coronavirus, Coronavirus Relief Fund, and the Community Development Block Grant. This RFQ will also help HSD maintain a list of eligible homeless service agencies to respond quickly to surge and if additional funding becomes available in the future.

2) The 2020 Street to Housing ESG-CV Rapid Rehousing RFQ will select one service provider to provide program enrollment and support to participants at the single adult shelter surge hotel buildings. This intentional linkage of shelter to Rapid Rehousing programming is designed to produce faster and more successful exits to permanent housing. The onsite Rapid Rehousing provider will focus on identifying housing options, move-in and rental assistance, and case management services and supports. HSD estimates that through an expedited process approximately 231 households will be enrolled into Emergency Solutions Grant - Coronavirus (ESG-CV) funded Rapid Rehousing program.

The City received one-time Emergency Solutions Grant - Coronavirus (ESG-CV) program funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19 among individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or receiving homeless assistance, and to support additional homeless assistance activities to mitigate the impacts created by coronavirus. None of the funds provided under the ESG-CV Act may be used to require people experiencing homelessness to receive treatment or perform any other prerequisite activities as a condition for receiving shelter, housing, or other services.

This RFQ is investing $8,964,648 from the Emergency Solutions Grant - Coronavirus (ESG-CV) to identify one Rapid Rehousing program provider to participate in the Street to Housing program. Funding for the Rapid Rehousing program will extend through the ESG-CV grant period (September 2022).

*HSD reserves the right to change any dates in this RFQ timeline. Any updates, including responses to questions, will be posted here on this webpage. **Accommodations available by request.

An Information Session will be held Thursday, November 12, 2020 from 3:00-4:00 PM online via WebEx. The Last Day to Submit Questions will be Monday, November 16, 2020 by 4:00 p.m. HSD will not provide individual notice of changes, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking this web page for answers to questions, process updates, clarifications, or amendments.

HSD seeks to contract with a diverse group of providers to help ensure that the result of HSD's Shelter Surge & Street to Housing Rapid Rehousing RFQs is households exit homelessness to permanent housing. Completed application packets are due by 5:00 p.m. PST on Monday, November 23, 2020. Applications must be submitted through the HSD Online Submission System. No faxed, e-mailed, or mailed applications will be accepted. 

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Gustaveson via email at lisa.gustaveson@seattle.gov.