REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director
Planning and Development
BY: JILLIAN GAYTAN, Sr Management Analyst
Homeless Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a Service Agreement with Elevate Community Services, Inc. (Elevate) to operate Ambassador Inn Triage Center offering 53-units serving individuals experiencing homelessness, located at 1804 W Olive Avenue through March 31, 2026, in the total amount of $1,324,600.00 funded with Homekey 2.0 and Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) dollars. (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council to approve the agreement with Elevate for triage center/emergency shelter homeless services in the total amount of $1,324,600.00 and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to sign all implementing agreements.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno (City) is seeking to award funding for triage center/emergency shelter homeless services as part of the Homekey 2.0 and HHAP program requirements. Staff issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on October 18, 2024, and received five responses, all were determined to be qualified and most responsive to the RFQ. Based on the evaluation completed by a selection panel, staff recommend awarding Elevate a total allocation of $1,324,600.00 for operations and coordination of services at Ambassador Inn triage center/emergency shelter for one-year agreement with two possible one-year extensions.
BACKGROUND
In February 2020, the City was awarded HHAP funding in the of $6,158,246.18 from the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council to address homelessness and in September 2021 the City received $2,911,171 in a second round of HHAP allocations. In January 2023, the City received a total of $7,524,257.15 in a third round of HHAP allocations and in July 2023 received $11,265,425.10 in a fourth round of HHAP allocation. In October 2024, the City received notification of $13,096,671.82 in a fifth round of HHAP allocation. Health and Safety Code Section 50220.5(d) allows program recipients to use their allocation for operating subsidies in new and existing emergency shelters, as well as for services coordination for homeless populations.
On December 9, 2021, City Council adopted Resolution 2021-316 authorizing staff to submit applications to the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) second round of funding under the Homekey Program (Homekey 2.0) for the operational and support services that support sustaining and expanding housing for persons experiencing homelessness. In July 2022 the City was awarded $12,737,700 in Homekey 2.0 funds to acquire, rehabilitate, and operate the motel to serve as an interim low-barrier emergency shelter. The award dedicated $2,952,000.00 in operating subsidy.
Staff issued an RFQ on October 18, 2024, requesting Statements of Qualifications for triage center/emergency shelter operations and coordination of services. The City received five responses by the December 17, 2024, deadline. A selection panel was comprised of representatives from the City’s Housing and Community Development, Homeless Services, Homeless Assistance Response Team (HART) divisions in the Planning and Development Department, and City of San Jose, Housing Department. The panel evaluated the responses based on the ability to meet the stated service requirements, conformance with the terms and conditions of the RFQ, costs associated with providing services, past performance and experience, and other related information provided. The panel determined all responses to be qualified as they all included the requested activities as outlined in the RFQ.
Following a thorough review, the panel determined that Elevate’s proposal was both qualified and most responsive to operate the Ambassador Inn Triage Center, for a total cost of $1,324,600.00. Based on the evaluation, staff recommends awarding Elevate Community Services as the operator of the Ambassador Inn Triage Center.
Elevate Community Services: Ambassador Inn
The principal owner of Elevate Community Service, Inc. is Brad Hardie and the Chief Executive Officer is Wayne Rutledge.
Services will focus on meeting the basic needs of the individuals while progressing each person through the Coordinated Entry System and identifying permanent housing solutions. The services will include emergency shelter provided in a low-barrier, housing first model that accepts individuals with their pets, partners, and possessions. Elevate will not create entry requirements related to sobriety and proposes to create a trauma-informed environment that is supportive of each individual seeking shelter. Elevate will provide highly trained and experienced Housing Case Managers who assist each participant with identifying a housing plan and taking the necessary steps to complete their individualized housing plan.
If an individual exits the program without becoming housed, ECS will offer the individual a connection to a community-based Navigator through RH Community Builders CalAIM Navigation Services. CalAIM Navigation Services are able to pick up where the Housing Case Manager left off with document collection, service linkage, and housing search.
The services include:
• Emergency Shelter/Rapid Rehousing/Transitional Housing. Elevate will operate 53 emergency shelter beds at the Ambassador Inn.
• Housing Case Management. Elevate will provide intensive case management services that focus on helping participants identify which type of housing will best meet their long-term needs.
• Monitors. Trained in evidenced based practices including Motivational Interviewing. Harm reduction is a core value of the Triage Centers and substance abuse alone will not result in a termination from shelter.
• Diversion. Elevate staff will screen participants during intake through a collaborative process by creating an environment for an exploratory conversation with the client’s ability to resolve their own housing crisis.
• Housing Stabilization. Elevate will provide services for housing stabilization of clients gaining employment or access to benefits like Social Security Income, access to benefits such as General Relief and CalFresh, entering job training programs, or programs to further their education and improving skills to maintain clean organized living conditions.
The proposed agreement totaling $1,324,600.00, for Elevate Community Services meets the Health and Safety Code Section 50220.5 (d) and provides the homeless community 53 beds.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because of the use of state funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this agreement will be through the State of California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Grant and Homekey award to the City of Fresno for this project.
Attachment:
Service Agreement with Elevate Community Services