REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: ERIKA LOPEZ, Senior Management Analyst
Community Development Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP):
1. Approve the agreement between the City of Fresno and WestCare California Inc. (WestCare) in the amount of $240,231.00, with a 12-month term to expire on June 30, 2027, to provide homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, and case management.
2. Approve the agreement between the City of Fresno and Poverello House in the amount of $293,616.00, with a 12-month term to expire on June 30, 2027, to provide homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, supportive services, and case management.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve agreements between the City of Fresno and WestCare in the amount of $240,231.00, and the City of Fresno and Poverello House in the amount of $293,616.00, for a 12-month term to expire on June 30, 2027, to provide people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness assistance to obtain and/or maintain housing and authorize the City Manager or designee to sign all necessary implementing agreements as approved to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council previously approved the allocation of HOME-ARP funding for Supportive Services to assist individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations. Staff released a Notice of Funding Available (NOFA) requesting applications for HOME-ARP Supportive Services and received six applications. After review and scoring, staff recommends awarding WestCare $240,231.00, and Poverello House $293,616.00. The proposed agreements would provide a total of $533,847.00 in HOME-ARP funds from July 01, 2026, through June 30, 2027, to assist individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness obtain and/or maintain housing.
BACKGROUND
On September 23, 2021 the City of Fresno received notification from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that it would receive $11,922,873.00 in HOME-ARP funding to assist individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations by providing housing, rental assistance, supportive services, and non-congregate shelter to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability.
On May 26, 2022, City Council approved a Substantial Amendment to the City’s 2021 Annual Action Plan allocating $3,111,481.00 of HOME-ARP for supportive services.
On February 1, 2024, City Council approved a $445,000.00 HOME-ARP agreement with WestCare to provide Supportive Services to qualified populations through the expansion of Project Unite serving 80 households with homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, and case management.
On July 07, 2025, City Council approved HOME-ARP agreements with WestCare and Poverello House the amounts of $229,150.00 per agreement for the period of July 01, 2025- June 30, 2026. Both agreements provide homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, and case management. Through the HOME-ARP agreement WestCare continued the expansion of Project Unite, serving all qualifying populations. Since the approval and execution of the agreement between the City and WestCare 37 households have been provided with homeless prevention services and case management. Poverello House launched the Supporting Tenancy and Assisting You (STAY) program serving all qualifying populations. Since the approval and execution of the agreement between the City and Poverello House 42 households with homeless prevention services, rental assistance and case management.
On March 16, 2026, the City of Fresno released a HOME-ARP Supportive Services NOFA which closed on April 13, 2025. This NOFA made $533,847.00 available to the community to provide the requested Supportive Services the City received six applications by the deadline from the following Nonprofit 501 (c) (3) Organizations.
• WestCare requested $427,926.00 to provide homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, and case management.
• Poverello House requested $553,847.00 to provide homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, supportive services and case management.
• Central Unified School District requested $187,095.80 to provide Case Management.
• Central Valley Justice Coalition requested $120,485.50 to provide transitional housing to individuals impacted by human trafficking and case management.
• Grace Bound Inc. requested $533,847.00 to provide homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, case management, and other eligible supportive services.
• Self-Help Enterprises requested $120,694.69 to provide a housing specialist community builder to coordinate all on-site services for the qualifying population referred to and residing at La Hacienda.
One additional application was received from Skye’s the Limit after the deadline and deemed ineligible.
The six applications submitted by the deadline were reviewed by an evaluation committee consisting of six members from the Homeless Services, HART, and Community Development Divisions; one Lived Experience Advisory Board representative; and one representative from the Fresno Housing Authority. The applications were assessed for eligibility and scored based on the criteria published in the NOFA. After review and consideration, the evaluation committee recommended that the City of Fresno award the top two scoring applications from WestCare and Poverello house to provide the highest direct benefit to the qualified population and ensure the timely expenditure of the funds.
WestCare’ s proposal would continue funding the expansion of the Project Unite Program. If approved, the HOME-ARP funding would expand services to provide rental assistance to 17 households, security deposits to 3 households, utility assistance to 10 households, moving expenses for 3 households, and application fees for 10 households. WestCare will also provide comprehensive case management based on individualized service plans that meet the client’s unique needs for housing and address and resolve barriers to permanent housing. Staff recommends granting $240,231.00 in HOME-ARP funds to WestCare to provide homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, and case management from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
Poverello House’s proposal would continue funding the STAY program. The STAY program would provide 75 unduplicated households assistance related to rent, security deposits, utilities, transportation, food, linkages to healthcare and treatment, landlord mediation, and other supportive services. The STAY program would address barriers of housing stability for unhoused individuals and families or those at an imminent risk of homelessness. Staff recommends providing Poverello House $293,616.00 in HOME-ARP funds for homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, supportive services, and case management from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
Approval of the agreements with WestCare and Poverello House would provide Supportive Services to HOME-ARP qualified populations through June 30, 2027. The balance of HOME-ARP funds allocated to Support Services will then be made available through future NOFAs on an annual basis to ensure a continuation of services through the expenditure deadline of September 30, 2030.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a project for purposes of CEQA pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15378. These plans, strategies and studies are Categorically Excluded Not Subject to Section 58.5 Pursuant to 24 CFR Part 58.34(a) and 58.35(b) under HUD NEPA Requirements (24 CFR 58.35 (b) (2) (3)).
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because of the use of federal funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact on the City’s General Fund. These agreements will be funded through the City’s HOME-ARP allocations appropriated in the Planning and Development Department’s budget.
Attachments:
Agreement with WestCare California Inc.
Agreement with Poverello House