Public Health to reissue RFP for facilitator of lived-experience housing steering committee; $50,000 set aside previously

Public Health and Social Services told commissioners April 22 it will issue a new request for proposals to solicit a facilitator and administrative support for the Lived Experience Housing Steering Committee.

Department director Jenna Breyheif said the Regional Housing Council had previously set aside $50,000 to identify and fund a facilitator for the committee. That earlier competitive process produced a single applicant whom the Homeless Services Advisory Board found inexperienced and recommended not to award; the regional housing council approved that recommendation. The department described the funding source as local document recording fees held within the county’s homeless services budget.

The county said it hopes to reissue the RFP soon and to have a contractor in place by July 1. Staff described the committee as a group of people with lived experience of homelessness who receive a stipend to participate and who provide equity‑focused input on the homeless response system, including the five‑year homeless plan. Public Health said the current provider, Partners of Prevention Education, did not reapply.

Commissioners discussed whether stipends and facilitator support should be broader or piloted among several advisory groups. Public Health and county staff said stipend policy and funding remain under review and that the county will return with additional information on scope and RFP requirements.

The board authorized staff to reissue the RFP and to bring the results and any recommended awards to the board in June.