Orange County approves Homebase contract to map homelessness funding and services

The Orange County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 approved a $125,000 contract with Homebase to conduct fiscal and resource mapping of the county’s homelessness continuum of care. The work will inventory funding streams and program delivery to identify gaps, overlaps and opportunities to improve outcomes.

Selima Lundy, director of operations for the Office of Care Coordination, told the board Homebase was selected because of prior work in Orange County and subject-matter experience in other jurisdictions. Lundy said the contract will help the county understand how changes in federal and state funding could affect local homelessness programs and will provide options to invest funds where they produce better outcomes.

Vice Chair Katrina Foley described the project as ‘‘a reasonable price’’ and asked that the final report be brought back to the board as a receive-and-file item so supervisors could evaluate findings. Supervisor Sarmiento added that the report should identify what’s been effective and what hasn’t, and he seconded the motion to approve the contract.

The board approved the contract and added a direction that staff return with the final report and recommendations to inform future budgeting and procurement decisions. Supporters described the mapping as an opportunity to align approximately $1.6 billion in homelessness-related spending previously identified in a county inventory and to reduce waste or duplication.

Next steps include Homebase performing the fiscal analysis, staff review and a board briefing when the final product is available. Supervisors said they want the results to guide future investments and to inform any procurement or contract changes.