COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION; April 15, 2026

The Community Relations Commission meeting held on April 15, 2026, featured a detailed presentation by Ernest Gina Simmons, Director of the Mayor's Office of Homeless Services (MoHS) in Baltimore City. The discussion focused extensively on the agency's procurement and contracting processes, including the annual consolidated funding application used to select contractors and subrecipients who provide street outreach, emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing services. MoHS manages over $33 million annually in Continuum of Care federal funds, along with other grants and city general funds, to support these programs. The director highlighted recent capital improvement projects, including the purchase and renovation of hotels and apartment buildings to expand non-congregate shelter and permanent supportive housing units, with construction anticipated to begin in 2027. The agency contracts with 37 service providers and subcontracts with 95 others to deliver services citywide. Commissioners inquired about contractor selection, service delivery models, and coordination with other city agencies, with Director Simmons emphasizing the importance of coordinated access systems and federal compliance in funding and service definitions. The meeting also addressed challenges related to funding reductions, housing inventory shortages, and the need for increased affordable housing development and operational support.