REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: JILLIAN GAYTAN, Senior Management Analyst
Homeless Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Approve an agreement with Poverello House to operate the Clarion Pointe as a low-barrier emergency homeless shelter and bridge housing site in the total amount of $2,799,997.48.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the agreement with Poverello House (Poverello) for low-barrier emergency shelter and bridge housing services for homeless residents in the total amount of $2,799,997.48 and authorize the City Manager to sign all implementing agreements.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno (City) is seeking to award funding for emergency shelter and bridge housing services for homeless residents as part of the Mayor’s second phase of Project-Off-Ramp to shelter 350 unhoused individuals. Staff issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) to develop and/or operate homeless shelters on February 15, 2023, and received three statements of qualifications to operate a homeless shelter, all were determined to be qualified and most responsive to the RFQ. Based on the evaluation completed by a selection panel, staff recommend awarding Poverello House a total allocation of $2,799,997.48 for operation and coordination of services at Clarion Pointe for a 12-month agreement with an option to extend 12 additional months.
BACKGROUND
On March 21, 2023, the Mayor announced the launch of the second phase of Project-Off-Ramp. The City of Fresno is home to 1,696 unsheltered individuals, the goal of the second phase of Project-Off-Ramp is to house 350 people who are unsheltered by June 30, 2023, one hundred days from the project’s launch. The Planning and Development Department’s Homeless Services Division released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Community-Based Organizations and Developers to submit a Statement of Qualifications to develop and/or operate homeless shelters on February 15, 2023, and received three statements of qualifications to a operate homeless shelter, all were determined to be qualified and responsive to the RFQ. Poverello House is among those determined to be qualified and responsive.
On December 9, 2021, the Planning and Development Department was allocated $13.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to develop new emergency shelter housing. On April 20, 2023 City Council approved a Purchase and Sale Agreement to acquire the Clarion Pointe, a 115 unit motel, located at 4061 N Blackstone Ave, near the intersection of Ashlan Avenue and Blackstone Ave for a total of $11,800,000 million. The facility is in proximity to several amenities including the Route 1 Fresno Area Express line, two grocery stores, and green space.
The Department will utilize Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Program funds to fund the operations of Clarion Pointe. However, the Department is awaiting an award announcement from the State of California regarding the City of Fresno’s application to the Encampment Resolution Funding Program Round 2 (ERF-2R), which was submitted on February 28, 2023. If awarded, these funds will supplement HHAP and staff will return to City Council in the future to incorporate the award into the funding sources of Clarion Pointe. Staff recommends approving the 12-month agreement with Poverello, with an option to extend 12 additional months.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This item is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because of the use of state funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
This action will have no impact upon the General Fund as it will be funded utilizing State grant funds.
Attachment:
Agreement with Poverello House