To: Board of Supervisors
From: Dr. Grant Colfax, Health Services Director
Report Title: Food and Transportation Vouchers for Low-Income Residents Living with HIV & AIDS
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to purchase on behalf of the Health Services Director, up to 20 Safeway gift cards each with a $200 value and 20 Chevron gift cards each with a $200 value, plus applicable shipping and fees up to $250, for a total amount not to exceed $8,250 for low-income clients served by the HIV/STI Program for the period from February 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The $8,250 expenditure will be funded by the Housing Opportunities for People Living with AIDS (HOPWA) grant during Fiscal Year 2025-26. There will be no impact to the County General Fund.
BACKGROUND:
The HIV Program within Contra Costa Public Health was awarded a Housing Opportunities for People Living with AIDS (HOPWA) grant from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2026. The annual budget is approximately $1M. These funds are intended for county households with annual incomes below the federal poverty line, living with HIV or AIDS, who are either at risk of becoming or are already unhoused. The grant includes food as well as travel provisions. All vouchers are distributed based on need and eligibility as outlined by Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The HIV/STI Program will distribute these food and gas vouchers between February 1, 2026 and June 30, 2026.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this action is not approved, HIV Program clients living below the poverty line may be food unstable as well as unable travel to vital medical appointments and support services.