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: Recommendation of the County Administrator
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Purchasing Agent, or designee, to purchase on behalf of the Health Services Director, 125 Safeway gift cards each with a $400 value and 150 Chevron gift cards each with a $200 value, for a total amount not to exceed $80,000 for low-income clients served by the HIV/STI Program for the period from November 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The $80,000 expenditure will be funded by the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) grant during Fiscal Year 2026-27. 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 with AIDS (HOPWA) grant from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. The annual budget is $1,125,680. 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 by June 30, 2027.
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.