City issues RFP for homeless, housing services

The city of Springfield issued a request for proposals to expand homeless and housing services.

With City Council approval at its Aug. 9 meeting, Springfield is applying for up to $2 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Community Development Block Grant funds from the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Through the RFP, the city is seeking nonprofit partners to acquire, construct or rehabilitate community transitional housing facilities, as well as provide public services to assist the homeless while responding to COVID-19, according to a news release.

At the council meeting this week, Bob Atchley, senior city planner, said the application will focus on providing additional emergency shelter beds.

Councilperson Craig Hosmer said it is important to make sure a certain percentage of funding is used for mental health, alcohol and drug treatment.

“We can never house our way out of this problem,” he said to applause from the audience on Monday night.

The city is soliciting proposals through 5 p.m. Aug. 18, according to the release.

Full coverage of council's Aug. 9 meeting will appear in Springfield Business Journal's Aug. 16 print edition.