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 $229,150 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 $229,150 to provide homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, supportive services, and case management.
3. Approve the agreement between the City of Fresno and Central Unified School District (CUSD) in the amount of $75,000 to provide utility assistance services.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the following twelve-month agreements: a) between the City of Fresno and WestCare in the amount of $229,150, b) between the City of Fresno and Poverello House in the amount of $229,150, and c) between the City of Fresno and CUSD in the amount of $75,000. Each agreement is to provide people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with assistance obtaining and/or maintaining housing and authorize the City Manager or designee to sign all necessary implementing agreements as approved to form by the City Attorney.
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 $229,150, Poverello House $229,150, and CUSD $75,00. The proposed agreements would provide a total of $533,300 in HOME-ARP funds from July 01, 2025, through June 30, 2026, to assist individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with obtaining and/or maintaining 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 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 of HOME-ARP for supportive services.
On February 1, 2024, City Council approved a $445,000 HOME-ARP agreement with WestCare to provide Supportive Services to qualified populations through the expansion of Project Unite which has served 69 households with homeless prevention services and case management. The current HOME-ARP Supportive Services agreement expires June 30, 2025.
On March 17, 2025, the City of Fresno released a NOFA making $533,000 in HOME-ARP funding available for eligible organizations to provide HOME-ARP Supportive Services. The City received six applications by the April 25, 2025, deadline from the following organizations:
• WestCare requested $533,000 to provide homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, and case management.
• Poverello House requested $533,000 to provide homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, supportive services and case management.
• CUSD requested $435,535 to provide Utility Assistance.
• Central Valley Justice Coalition requested $60,684.35 to provide transitional housing to individuals impacted by human trafficking and case management.
• Marjaree Mason Center requested $533,000 to provide supportive services such as transportation, housing assistance, counseling, and 24/7 hotline and crisis response.
• Self-Help Enterprises requested $302,969 to provide a housing specialist community builder to coordinate all on-site services for the qualifying population referred to and residing at La Hacienda.
Two additional applications were received from Gracebound Inc. and Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries after the deadline and deemed ineligible.
The six applications submitted by the deadline were reviewed by an evaluation committee consisting of four staff members from the Homeless Services, HART, and Community Development Divisions; one Fresno-Madera Continuum of Care 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 three scoring applications. These applications were from WestCare, Poverello house, and CUSD 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 12 households, security deposits to 5 households, utility assistance to 10 households, moving expenses for 5 households, and application fees for 5 households. WestCare would also provide comprehensive case management based on individualized service plans that meet the client’s unique needs for housing and support services to address and resolve barriers to permanent housing. Staff recommends providing $229,150 in HOME-ARP funds to WestCare to provide homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, and case management from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
Poverello House proposal would provide homeless prevention services, short and medium-term rental assistance, supportive services, and case management. If approved, the HOME-ARP funding would fund the launch of Poverello House’s Supporting Tenancy and Assisting You (STAY) program. The STAY program would address barriers of housing stability for unhoused individuals and families or those at an imminent risk of homelessness. The STAY program would provide 60 unduplicated households assistance related to housing, utilities, transportation, food, linkages to healthcare and treatment, mediation, and other supportive services. Staff recommends providing Poverello House $229,150 in HOME-ARP funds for homeless prevention services, short- and medium-term rental assistance, supportive services, and case management from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
CUSD’s proposal would provide financial assistance in the form of utility assistance to students and their families who are qualifying populations in the school district within the City of Fresno. If approved, the HOME-ARP funding would assist at least 20 Households with utility deposits and utility payments. Staff recommends providing CUSD $75,000 in HOME-ARP funds for utility assistance from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
Approval of the agreements with WestCare, Poverello House, and CUSD would provide Supportive Services to HOME-ARP qualified populations through June 30, 2026. 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:
HOME-ARP Supportive Services Agreement with WestCare California Inc.
HOME-ARP Supportive Services Agreement with Poverello House
HOME-ARP Supportive Services Agreement with Central Unified School District