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Board awards unhoused support center operator to Manna Dream Center; authorizes related contract actions

Cumberland County Board of Commissioners · December 16, 2025

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Summary

After public comments and closed session, the board unanimously awarded the operator contract for the planned $17 million unhoused support center to Manna Dream Center, extended a Proactive MD contract up to six months, and authorized negotiations with the Salvation Army for winter sheltering up to $1,000,000.

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Dec. 15 to award the unhoused support center operator contract (listed in the meeting record as RFP 26 15 ADM) to the Manna Dream Center, and took three related actions aimed at expanding shelter and supportive services.

What commissioners approved: After returning from closed session, Commissioner Patel moved and the board approved a six-month extension of the Proactive MD contract to address outstanding concerns. The board also voted unanimously to award the RFP for the support center operator to the Manna Dream Center, identified by public commenters as a collaborative provider with local health, faith and academic partners. Finally, Vice Chairman Sherman Jones moved to authorize the county manager to begin contract negotiations with the Salvation Army for winter sheltering, temporary emergency sheltering and white-flag operations not to exceed $1,000,000; that motion also carried unanimously.

Public comment and context: During public comment Dr. Young Sammy Choi, who said he recently retired after 40 years as a research physician with the Department of Defense, urged the board to select an operator that can move people beyond shelter to stability. "What Cumberland County needs is not just survival. We need an operator that can help people thrive and move this county toward an end to homelessness," Choi said, endorsing Manna Dream Center’s partnerships and programs. The board described the center as a planned $17,000,000 facility and said the awarded entity was the lowest responsible, responsive bidder.

Next steps and clarifications: County staff said the manager is authorized to negotiate contract terms and that additional implementation details, reporting requirements and any funding approvals will be handled through standard procurement and contracting processes. The meeting record lists the RFP as "RFP 26 15 ADM"; the transcript does not provide a different or fully standardized RFP identifier.