City updates requirements for homeless outreach contract after backlash

THE city has eased one of its criminal record requirements as it searches for its next provider of homeless outreach services, following criticism from those who are considering applying.

An addendum was attached to the city’s request for proposal, issued last week, on Tuesday. It removes the requirement for security clearances tied to the contract for individuals with a criminal record or those with pending charges.

“An amendment was made to the RFP that offers more flexibility for service providers to hire individuals with lived experience, where the provider can attest the individual can perform their work safely and efficiently,” said city communications officer Kalen Qually in an email.

The initial request for proposal sought to prohibit applications from any individual who failed to provide a criminal record check, or for whom a check indicates any convictions or pending charges related to property offences or crimes against another person.

The city set aside $387,275 for the 24-hour mobile outreach support contract, which could be split to offer $96,820 for outreach east of the Red River and $290,455 for outreach west of the river, the request for proposal notes.

Marion Willis, the executive director at St. Boniface Street Links, which may look to bid for a portion of the funding allocated for work east of the Red River, said the requirement would have effectively shut her organization out from bidding.

“I’m wondering if council read the RFP before it was posted,” she said.

She said Street Links has delivered services to the city for more than three years and never had to meet such a requirement.

Most of the people she employs have lived experience, including past run-ins with the criminal justice system.

On Tuesday, the city amended the request for proposal, replacing the entire security clearance section. In the revised section, the city is removing the requirement of a clean criminal record, except for the provision that individuals must provide a criminal record check.

Under the amended section, if a record check shows prior convictions or pending charges, the bidder must instead confirm to the city that the behaviour underlying the charge or conviction, if repeated, would not affect the safety, integrity or efficiency of the work, or the city’s work with service recipients.

The bidder must also affirm it is safe and appropriate for the individual to perform the work, taking into account factors such as the length of time since the charge or conviction, whether the individual has demonstrated the behaviour will not be repeated or is continuing rehabilitation, and whether the person has obtained a pardon or met all conditions related to an offence that resulted in a conditional discharge.

People whose vulnerable sector check (working with children or other vulnerable persons) indicates past convictions or pending charges will be prohibited from working.

The successful bidder will be held solely liable for an action or inaction, the amendment reads.

Willis previously said the city should scrap the request for proposal and replace it with “something that makes sense.”

She estimates $96,820 for outreach east of the Red, which her organization has long provided, would fund 2.5 workers. She said that’s too few to provide round-the-clock service, noting her annual outreach budget is nearly $500,000.

Main Street Project was paid $275,000 for the contract last year.

Both organizations have said the money the city is offering is inadequate for the job they’re being asked to do.

The contract will be in effect from April 1 to Dec. 31. The city will accept bids until Feb. 10.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024.  Read more about Scott.

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