New Haven Seeks Linkages & Accountability from RFP Providers

[N'Zinga Shani]

City Seeks More From Homeless Providers by Paul Bass | Mar 9, 2015 12:57 pm.

 "The Harp administration put out an annual call for bidders to help house the homeless — with a caveat that they also help link people to jobs and health care. The call came in the form of a request for proposals (RFP) for $1 million in total city contracts for emergency shelter services for individuals and families this coming year." New Haven Independent

OneWorld encourages everyone to read this article in the New Haven Independent dated Monday, March 9, 2015

It is refreshing to see this enlightened, comprehensive and accountability approach to providing social services in New Haven. This is better for the people being served, for the city of New Haven, and frankly for those agencies that provide the services.  The standards for this RFP should also help the respondents to operate more efficiently and effectively overall.  In short, their work should make a permanent difference in the City rather than the annual rituals without sustained accountability.

No administration, regardless of how efficient, can solve all of any city or town's problems. It takes focus, critical and strategic thinking and planning, coordinated efforts and effective partnerships to maximize the returns on everyone's dollars and efforts.  Social service agencies and providers need to be vigilant and fiscally responsible in maximizing every dollar they receive; the most efficient and effective providers should be rewarded. This might mean having fewer more efficient providers.  The residents of New Haven are the ones who pick up the costs of inefficiency.

The total value of the Request for Proposal (RFP) is $1Million. That is what New Haven is offering in total City contracts for emergency shelter services (to individuals and families) in New Haven this coming year. The contracts give providers an opportunity to help to permanently solve problems -- such as jobs and health care -- that are linked to homelessness.

Mental health, substance abuse, lack of skills and inadequate education are all contributing factors to homelessness. Additionally, a lack of social infrastructure and ongoing support are great contributors. This new approach is likely to reduce the number of responses, but should also bring responses from those who are truly committed and creative in bringing about effective and sustained changes in New Haven, and particularly among the homeless population.

Again, please read the article in the New Haven Independent (NHI) to learn about the specific language included in the RFP, which the administration issued on Monday, March 9, 2015. http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/city_se...

Other National Resource Information about Ending Homelessness –

1.  Ten Essentials for Ending Homelessness: The Ten Essentials is a guide to help communities identify effective permanent solutions to homelessness. Supported by research and grounded in practical experience, the Ten Essentials serve as a blueprint for communities to follow.  http://www.endhomelessness.org/pages/ten-essentials

 2. Ending Chronic Homelessness - Strategies for Action 

http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/homelessness/strategies03/ch.htm

 3. Chronic Homelessness In Focus 

http://usich.gov/population/chronic/in_focus/

 4.   Step by Step: A Case Management Approach to Homelessness  http://www.familyhomelessness.org/media/237.pdf  (2011 doc)

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[N'Zinga Shani]

The total value of the city of New Haven’s RFP for homeless services is $1Million. That’s what New Haven is offering in total city contracts for emergency shelter services in New Haven this coming year. The Caveat this year: Linkages and Accountability by responders who seek to provide service. This is a very good thing for all concerned, and it is a more responsible approach to social services in New Haven.