REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
August 20, 2015
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: JOSE TRUJILLO, Manager
Housing and Community Development Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Emergency Solutions Grant Program Funding
1 Approve the first Amendment to the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) contract with WestCare
California, Inc. and the award of $464,426 in funding for the period of the extension to provide outreach, shelter, and rapid rehousing; and approve an award of ESG funding to the Marjaree Mason Center in an amount not to exceed $125,299, to the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission in an amount not to exceed $61,750, and to WestCare California, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $39,571; and authorize the City Manager to execute Agreements.
2. ***RESOLUTION - 9TH Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2015104 appropriating $691,100 of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ESG Program funding. (Requires 5 affirmative votes)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the First Amendment to the ESG contract with WestCare California, Inc. and award $464,426 to provide street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing and administration services through June 30, 2016.
2. Approve an award of ESG Program funding for the period September 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 to the Marjaree Mason Center for emergency shelter, rapid re-housing and administration services in an amount not to exceed $125,299; approve an award to the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission for street outreach, homelessness prevention, rapid-rehousing, and administration services in an amount not to exceed $61,750; an award to WestCare California, Inc. for rapid re-housing and administration services in an amount not to exceed $39,571.
3. Approve authorization for the City Manager to execute the Amendment and Subrecipient Agreements, subject to City Attorney approval as to form.
4. Adopt the 9TH Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2015-104 appropriating $691,100 for consulting services of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ESG Program funding (Exhibit G).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The ESG Program is one of the four formula programs allocated to the City of Fresno from HUD. The ESG Program provides funding to: (1) engage homeless individuals and families living on the street; (2) improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families; (3) help operate these shelters; (4) provide essential services to shelter residents, (5) rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families, and (6) prevent families/individuals from becoming homeless.
On November 6, 2014, the Council approved a substantial amendment to the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 Annual Action Plans to include the uses of ESG Program funds in accordance with the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing ("HEARTH") Act. This amendment determined allocation levels for the eligible funding categories including street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid-rehousing, HMIS, and administration.
On January 29, 2015 Fresno City Council approved Amendment No. 2015-003 amending the Annual Action Plan to award 2012-2013 ESG Program funding to WestCare California, Inc. an amount of $385,962 for purposes of funding activities related to the 25 Cities Initiative to end Chronic and Veteran homelessness by 2015.
On July 9, 2015 the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care was consulted regarding remaining ESG for PY 2013 (Fresno Fiscal Year 2013-14) and PY 2014 (Fresno Fiscal Year 2014-15) in the amount of $703,986. Based upon the success of the Project Unite effort, the FMCOC recommended that the program be extended through June 2016 and be awarded $464,426. Additionally, the FMCOC recommended that the City continue to support HMIS data collection services and internal administration for $12,940 during that same period.
The remaining $226,620 was recommended to be awarded through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. On July 13, 2015 the City of Fresno announced a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for ESG Program funding to solicit the City for proposals regarding: street outreach & emergency shelter; homelessness prevention assistance to households who would otherwise become homeless; assistance to rapidly rehouse persons who are homeless; and related grant administration (up to 2.5% of the award). Three responses were received from Marjaree Mason Center, Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, and WestCare California. On August 3, 2015 a preliminary review of proposal applications was conducted by City staff and two representatives of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care Executive Committee. The Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) heard the presentation of recommended awards on August 12, 2015. The Commission voted 3-0 (one abstaining member) to approve the staff recommendation.
BACKGROUND
Staff recommends the first Amendment to the Emergency Solutions Grant contract with WestCare California, Inc. and award $464,426 to provide street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing and administration services through June 30, 2016. On January 29, 2015 Fresno City Council approved Amendment No. 2015-003 amending the Annual Action Plan to award 2012-2013 Emergency Solutions Grant Program funding to WestCare California, Inc. an amount of $385,962 for purposes of funding activities related to the 25 Cities Initiative to end Chronic and Veteran homelessness by 2015. To date, Project Unite, which began providing services on April 1, 2015, has assisted 53 individuals, 17 of these clients had minor children, 38 individuals were literally homeless, and 15 were at risk of becoming homeless. It is essential in accomplishing the goal of ending chronic and veterans’ homelessness to continue the outreach and rapid rehousing work of the MAP Point and Project Unite.
Staff recommends award of funding to the Marjaree Mason Center in the amount of $125,299. The Marjaree Mason Center is an active participant in the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care, and through the Emergency Solutions Grant Program will provide emergency housing with case management services for victims who have become homeless due to fleeing domestic violence. The Marjaree Mason Center Fresno Safe House will serve 200 unduplicated homeless women and children within the 12-month agreement period. The services provided will include emergency housing and supportive services, including food, clothing, case management, counseling, legal assistance, parenting, life skills, support groups, and linkages to housing and job training agencies and programs. They will provide rapid rehousing, housing relocation and stabilization services that will support 20 homeless domestic violence victims and families.
Staff recommends award of funding to the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission in the amount of $61,750. The Fresno EOC is a non-profit organization widely recognized as one of the largest Community Action agencies in the United States. Founded in 1965, Fresno EOC has spent five decades investing in people in becoming self-sufficient. The Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, Sanctuary, and Youth Services will utilize awarded Emergency Solutions Grant funding to provide services for 205 individuals with rapid rehousing, homeless prevention, and street outreach services during the 12-month agreement period. The target population to be served includes individuals and families experiencing homelessness, those who are at risk of becoming homeless, unaccompanied youth under the age of 18, and youth aging out of foster care. Funding will be used to support outreach efforts, case management, wrap-around case management, rental assistance, and housing stabilization services.
Staff recommends award of funding to WestCare California in the amount of $39,571. WestCare is a non-profit organization that has provided housing services for the City’s homeless population for over 40 years. The award of the requested ESG funds will be provided in support of WestCare’s Project Unite. Project Unite is a collaboration between WestCare and its subcontracted partners, Turing Point of Central California (Turning Point) and Poverello House. The collaboration is focused on supporting the efforts of centralized intake and assessment at MAP Point. Project Unite will identify and assess the most vulnerable and chronically homeless individuals, including veterans, and families, as well as those at risk of becoming homeless in the City of Fresno, in an effort to meet their immediate and long-term housing needs. This will be accomplished through outreach, emergency housing (bridge housing at Bridge Point), homeless prevention (payment of rent and/or utility arrears), and rapid rehousing assistance. Individuals engaged with homeless prevention or rapid rehousing will be provided with case management services to assist with the development of skills to gain self-sufficiency.
WestCare, Turing Point, and Poverello House are active members and leaders within the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care and currently engage in coordinated outreach and screening activities geared to guide homeless individuals to the Coordinated Assessment and Housing Match (CAHM) system for housing assistance. All agencies utilize the Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization and Decision Assistance tool (VI-SPDAT) to assess and assist homeless individuals.
WestCare will provide contract oversight as well as employ a Housing Locator, Case Manager, and an Outreach Specialist. Turning Point will employ a Case Manager as well as provide the bridge housing at Bridge Point. Poverello House will employ an Outreach Specialist, a Case Manager, and will have a primary focus on assisting homeless individuals or families who reside in the Community of Hope/Village of Hope (sheds at Poverello House).
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form the proposed Amendment and Subrecipient Agreements.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section 15378, these items do not qualify as a project for the purposes of CEQA. In addition, the proposed services are not subject to an environmental review under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, as they are specifically for supportive services that include, but are not limited to: housing; permanent housing placement; short-term payments for rent; utility costs; and assistance in gaining access to local, state, and federal government housing benefits and services.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because this item does not include an award of a construction or consultant contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The funds were allocated in the 2013 Annual Action Plan and the 2014 Annual Action Plan to the referenced activities. An Appropriations Ordinance is necessary to carry the funds over into the current fiscal year.
Attachments:
Exhibit A - Westcare Original Agreement
Exhibit B - Westcare First Amended Agreement
Exhibit C - Marjaree Mason Center August 2015 Agreement
Exhibit D - Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission August 2015 Agreement
Exhibit E - WestCare California, Inc. August 2015 Agreement
Exhibit F - Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)
Exhibit G - Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR)