Interim Shelter - Bridge Housing Bed Expansion

Post Information
Posted At:
Mon, May 4, 2026 8:00 AM
Sealed Bid Process:
No
Private Bid:
No

1. Introduction
   1.1. Summary

Sacramento County, Department of Health Services (DHS), Behavioral Health Services (BHS), is expanding the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) program and seeking qualified Successful Applicant(s) to operate interim shelter beds through the addition of up to 100 beds for individuals experiencing homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions.

Through this Open Enrollment, Sacramento County will identify Successful Applicant(s) capable of rapidly establishing and operating interim shelter programs serving individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorder (SUD) who are linked to Sacramento County BHS.

Contracts awarded through this process will support interim shelter operations and are intended to provide immediate shelter and housing stabilization and facilitate engagement in ongoing BHS treatment and transition to permanent housing.

Funding for this effort is time-limited, with the BHBH grant ending June 30, 2027. The Open Enrollment will remain posted through December 31, 2026; however, Sacramento County reserves the right to close the posting earlier if the total number of beds and available funding are fully allocated.

1.2. Background

The BHBH Program is a State of California initiative designed to address the urgent housing needs of individuals experiencing homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions. Sacramento County applied for and was awarded BHBH funding through Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to expand bridge housing capacity and support interim shelter placements that promote stabilization, engagement in treatment services, and transitions to permanent housing.

Sacramento County BHS has implemented BHBH through a coordinated housing approach that combines program-designated beds with flexible, community-based placements and supports. This model expands access to low-barrier housing, supports stabilization and engagement in behavioral health services, and facilitates transitions to longer-term housing solutions.

Sacramento County currently supports approximately 259 BHBH-funded beds across a range of interim shelter models and sober living environment programs. This includes site-based interim shelter such as the Grow Florin non-congregate community with 72 beds, Renewed Hope with 15 beds, and approximately 100 beds across 3 Safe Stay sites, as well as 71 beds operated across multiple sober living environment Successful Applicant(s). In addition to these program-designated beds, the County utilizes flexible housing funds to support placements in community-based settings such as room and board and board and care, expanding access beyond fixed site capacity.

Through prior funding rounds, Sacramento County has established a strong foundation of interim shelter and supportive services. However, the need for interim shelter continues to exceed available capacity.

This Open Enrollment is intended to expand interim shelter bed availability by allowing the County to partner with additional qualified Successful Applicant(s) to deliver low-barrier, service-connected housing placements for individuals experiencing homelessness with behavioral health needs.

This program is designed to align with State guidance and requirements under California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Community Supports, including housing-related services and Transitional Rent (Attachment F – Transformation of Medi-Cal Community Supports; Attachment G – Transitional Rent Payment Methodology; Attachment H – Community Supports Policy Guide Volume 2).

1.3. Contact Information
Project Contact:
Jessica Simanello
Human Services Program Planner
Email: simanelloj@saccounty.gov
Phone: (916) 639-0628

Procurement Contact:
Jessica Simanello
Human Services Program Planner
Email: simanelloj@saccounty.gov
Phone: (916) 639-0628

Department:
Health Services

Department Head:
Tim Lutz
Director

1.4. Timeline
Release Date:
May 4, 2026
Please Respond By:
December 31, 2026, 5:00pm
2. Scope of Work
2.1. Required Services

The Successful Applicant(s) shall provide and operate BHBH interim shelter beds for individuals experiencing homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions. The program shall operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week as a low-barrier interim shelter that provides safe, sanitary, and accessible accommodations in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal requirements. The Successful Applicant(s) shall maintain the facility in good condition and ensure adequate onsite staffing and security to support operations and resident safety. All operations shall be conducted in accordance with the County’s Good Neighbor Policy.

The Successful Applicant(s) shall ensure that residents’ basic needs are met throughout their stay, including provision of meals or access to food, restroom and shower facilities, hygiene supplies, laundry services, and appropriate sleeping accommodations. The Successful Applicant(s) shall also provide adequate space within the resident’s assigned sleeping area or unit, or in a secure, on-site location accessible to the resident, to accommodate personal belongings and medications, as appropriate, consistent with program policies related to safety, sanitation, and operational capacity.

The Successful Applicant(s) shall accept and process referrals from County-designated partners and conduct timely screening, intake, and needs assessments. The Successful Applicant(s) shall coordinate with the County and system partners to prioritize placement of eligible individuals, maintain occupancy targets, and fill vacancies as quickly as possible with a target occupancy rate of no less than 90%. The Successful Applicant(s) shall participate in or facilitate multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferencing to support coordinated care and timely transitions to permanent housing.

The Successful Applicant(s) shall provide case management services to all residents, including development and ongoing implementation of individualized housing support plans. Services shall focus on promoting housing readiness, stability, and successful transitions to permanent housing. The Successful Applicant(s) shall support ongoing engagement in behavioral health treatment with their outpatient provider and coordinate referrals and linkages to physical health care, other behavioral health services, mainstream benefits, income supports, employment, education, and life skills development. Housing support plans shall be developed and maintained in accordance with applicable DHCS and Managed Care Plans (MCPs) requirements, including required documentation and authorization processes. The Successful Applicant(s) shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining all required MCP authorizations, including timely submission, follow-up, and resolution of denials or service modifications.

The Successful Applicant(s) shall provide, or coordinate access to, housing navigation and stabilization services, including assistance with obtaining documentation, completing housing applications, identifying appropriate housing opportunities, and securing permanent housing placements. The Successful Applicant(s) shall coordinate with the Continuum of Care and other housing partners to support timely placement.

These services shall be delivered in alignment with MCP requirements, including CalAIM Community Supports such as Housing Transition Navigation Services, Housing Tenancy and Sustaining Services, Housing Deposits, and Transitional Rent (TR). The Successful Applicant(s) shall utilize available Housing Trio and TR benefits prior to the use of BHBH-funded services for the same activities and shall not duplicate or supplant services or billing across funding streams. The Successful Applicant(s) shall comply with all County-directed and MCP required processes for referral, authorization, and coordination of Community Supports services, including TR, as such processes will be established or modified during the term of the contract.

The Successful Applicant(s) shall identify participant eligibility for TR and shall submit Housing Support Plans (HSPs), initiate referrals, and pursue MCP authorization to secure TR for eligible participants. The Successful Applicant(s) is expected to take all reasonable and necessary actions to ensure TR is accessed and that MCPs assume financial responsibility for eligible stays when available. Sacramento County reserves the right to define, modify, or implement processes for accessing TR during the term of the contract, and the Successful Applicant(s) shall comply with all County direction related to TR implementation, including referral pathways, documentation requirements, and coordination protocols as they are developed.

All services shall be delivered using housing-first principles, harm reduction strategies, and a trauma-informed approach. The Successful Applicant(s) shall support resident engagement through activities that promote community integration, life skills development, and housing readiness, and shall provide conflict resolution and crisis de-escalation support as needed.

The Successful Applicant(s) shall maintain policies and procedures to ensure the health and safety of residents and staff, including emergency response and crisis intervention protocols. The Successful Applicant(s) shall comply with all applicable program requirements, regulations, and County policies, and shall submit required reports, incident documentation, and program data in a timely manner.

The Successful Applicant(s) shall collect, enter, and maintain accurate client-level data in Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and SmartCare, the County’s electronic health record. The Successful Applicant(s) shall track program utilization, services delivered, and client outcomes in at least one daily progress note for each client in SmartCare. The Successful Applicant(s) shall report on performance measures, including occupancy and housing outcomes.

The Successful Applicant(s) shall coordinate access to benefits and funding sources, as applicable, and support timely linkage to services to promote housing stability and continuity of care. The Successful Applicant(s) shall ensure transition planning is initiated at intake and continuously updated throughout each resident’s stay. As the BHBH grant period concludes, the Successful Applicant(s) shall coordinate appropriate transitions for all residents to permanent housing, ongoing treatment, or other appropriate community-based resources to ensure continuity of care and avoid returns to homelessness.

3. Minimum Qualifications
   3.1. Minimum Qualifications

Applicants seeking to participate in this Open Enrollment and contract with Sacramento County to operate interim shelter beds and provide supportive services funded through the BHBH program must meet all of the following Minimum Qualifications at the time of application submission.

Applicant must be a public agency, nonprofit organization, or other entity legally authorized to operate housing, shelter, or supportive service programs in the State of California.
Applicant must be a current service provider operating within Sacramento County with at least 3 years of experience within the last 5 years operating interim shelter, shelter, bridge housing, or similar programs serving individuals experiencing homelessness, and must demonstrate experience operating programs using Housing First, harm reduction, and low-barrier program principles, including direct delivery of supportive services that support transitions to permanent housing.
Applicant must demonstrate the capacity to expand interim shelter or bridge housing services within Sacramento County, including documentation of site availability or site control for the proposed location (e.g., ownership, executed lease, or a letter of intent, commitment, or other agreement), and the ability to secure the site within 2 weeks of contract execution and begin accepting referrals within 30 days.
Applicant must agree to participate in required data systems and reporting, including the HMIS and SmartCare, which is Sacramento County’s electronic health record, and comply with Sacramento County program monitoring and reporting requirements.
Applicant must attest that they will maintain an average occupancy rate of no less than 90% of contracted beds during the term of the contract, subject to referral availability and operational considerations.
Applicant must provide documentation demonstrating that the proposed site is permitted or eligible for interim shelter use, or can meet applicable local health, safety, and zoning requirements prior to the start of operations.
Applicant must acknowledge and agree to comply with BHBH grant requirements, including that funds shall be used solely for program operations and not for infrastructure or capital expenditures (e.g., building acquisition, construction, or major renovations). Funding is time-limited and currently available through June 30, 2027, and that other available funding sources, including the Housing Trio and TR, shall be utilized as appropriate prior to the use of BHBH funds.
Applicant must be in good standing with Sacramento County and must not have any unresolved contract compliance issues, monitoring findings, or corrective action plans.
4. Funding
4.1. Pool Funding

Total Funding Pool: $4,700,000*

*Funding amount is estimated and subject to County approval, contract negotiations, and availability of funds.

The County anticipates making multiple awards through this Open Enrollment. Final individual contract amounts, bed capacity, and funding allocations will be determined during post-award negotiations and may be based on factors such as demonstrated capability, proposed site capacity, implementation readiness, and County-determined system needs. No minimum funding level, number of beds, or service volume is guaranteed.

Funding associated with this Open Enrollment is intended to support the operation of interim shelter beds and related supportive services funded through the BHBH Program. This Open Enrollment will remain open until available funds are fully allocated or the needs of the designated population have been addressed.

Operational funding is based on an estimated rate of $126.01 maximum per bed per night during the initial program period and will be reduced by any applicable TR reimbursement received for the same participant, as negotiated with the MCP(s), subject to bed utilization, and availability of funds. The per-bed rate is intended to support the full cost of program operations, including staffing and services. The Successful Applicant(s) shall ensure coordination and tracking of funding sources and shall not duplicate or supplant services or billing across funding streams. The Successful Applicant(s) shall track and document all CalAIM Community Supports services and associated costs for which reimbursement is not yet available and shall pursue reimbursement retroactively when a payer source or authorization pathway becomes available, consistent with MCP requirements. Services eligible for reimbursement shall be utilized prior to the use of BHBH-funded services for the same activities.

To support timely access to housing and prevent delays in placement, TR may be applied on a presumptive eligibility basis during the initial period following participan

Attached documents:
• Interim_Shelter_-Bridge_Housing_Bed_Expansion(Addendum_#1_Revision).pdf
• D - Attachment D – Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Request for Application
• E - Attachment E – Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Request for Application - Round 3
• F - Attachment F – Transformation of Medi-Cal Community Supports
• G - Attachment G – Transitional Rent 10.3.25
• H - Attachment H – Community Supports Policy Guide Volume 2 4.2025