Moses Lake looking for provider for homeless support services

Key points: 

• City will contract with one or more organizations to provide services to people who want to enter treatment for substance abuse. 
• Contract will be funded through recording fees, estimated about $55,000 will be available 

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials will advertise for organizations that want to provide support for homeless people looking for treatment for substance abuse and a way to get to that treatment. Liz Murillo Busby, the city’s housing grant manager, said the city's money to pay for the contract will come from document recording fees. 

“We’re anticipating a contract of about $55,000 for this,” Murillo Busby said. 

The organization awarded the contract would be required to provide 24/7 transportation for people who want to enter treatment for substance abuse, and support while they’re in transit.  

“We want to make sure (the contractor) verifies services at the receiving facility or entity, and is not just dropping off individuals without verifying those services,” she said. 

Once the contractor is summoned to help someone, she said, the city is asking for a response within 30 to 45 minutes. 

The contractor will not provide long-term case management, direct services or operate a shelter, she said. They will be asked to help people access treatment that suits them. 

“That can be anything like rehabilitation, a shelter, a family support system, or any other method of recovery,” she said. 

The contractor will be asked to make quarterly reports to the council with updates on services and referrals provided, any challenges and demographic information, among other things. 

Some details will be determined once the contract is awarded, she said.  

Council member Victor Lombardi asked if the city was limited to one provider, or to the lowest bidder. Council member Deanna Martinez said the contract probably could be set up to have more than one provider, although Murillo Busby said council members should keep in mind the total money allocated will be about $55,000. 

City officials plan to come back in September with the applications and the review of them by the city’s ad hoc homeless committee, Murillo Busby said, along with options available. 

“I, for one, am comfortable with that – letting the applications guide our next steps,” Mayor Dustin Swartz said. 

The revised plan follows the closure of the Open Doors Sleep Center, which the city was operating until it closed June 30.