County staff told commissioners the Housing Coalition typically finalizes the request-for-proposals (RFP) in mid-October, publishes it in October, receives responses in the first week of November, and forwards scored recommendations to the board in late November.

A county staff member said there are no known funding problems with the homeless and affordable housing funds and recommended the board authorize the RFP process to proceed on that schedule. The staff summary described the usual timeline: RFP finalization by mid-October, publishing in October, proposals due the first week of November, coalition scoring and compilation of recommendations, and commissioners’ consideration in November. Contracts would then be drafted and expected to be fully signed by February.

Commissioners discussed whether the board should set specific budget amounts for each fund now so applicants know available dollars when preparing proposals; one commissioner asked to review budget numbers at a staff draft meeting the following Wednesday. Staff agreed to provide draft budget amounts and to include the coalition's recommendations in a staff report when they reach the board.

Separately, the county was told the Housing Coalition’s five-year homeless plan has reached a final draft. Staff asked whether commissioners want the coalition to present that final plan at a public hearing where the board would consider adopting it. Commissioners agreed to schedule a public hearing for adoption and asked staff to circulate the plan in advance so they can review it prior to the hearing.

A staff contact cited in the agenda was Rena Shaver of Community Action, who had asked whether the board wanted to proceed with the RFP and the public hearing on the plan. Commissioners confirmed the process and asked staff to return with recommended budget figures for each fund before the coalition’s scoring.