DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Housing & Community Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Contract With Ally Supportive Services For Street Outreach Services
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of contract with Ally Supportive Services (Ally) for street outreach services.
SUMMARY
The Social Services Department manages a continuum of housing services funded through an array of levy, state grants, federal grants, and Affordable Housing Aid (AHA). Some services are operated through direct service delivery, such as social workers working with families and adults in shelter and supportive housing. Other services such as street outreach to homeless individuals, emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, apartment services, and services at eviction court are delivered though contracts.
This contract pays for outreach to people in Dakota County experiencing homeless, living outdoors or couch-hopping. Services include coordinating with service providers; outreach to community locations (libraries, police departments, county buildings); developing working relationships with system partners; and facilitating referrals to housing, job training, mental health and other human services. Homeless outreach meets people where they are at, serving an estimated 200 people each quarter (Attachment: Outcomes).
An RFP for street outreach services was conducted earlier in 2025 (Attachment: Solicitation Summary). Based on the RFP review, staff recommends contracting with Ally for a period of two years in an amount not to exceed $322,000 in levy funds. This is a 59 percent increase ($120,000) from previous contracts. The increase is needed to continue the same level of street outreach service for three reasons: (1) state grant funding that flows from the county to Ally was cut by around $62,000 for the 2026-2027 grant cycle; (2) the cost for delivering services has increased with inflation; and (3) the number of people experiencing...
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