REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
THROUGH: PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: JILLIAN GAYTAN, Senior Management Analyst
Homeless Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorizing and directing a grant application to the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) for funding under the Encampment Resolution Funding Program, round 2, second disbursement (ERF-2-R) for actionable, person-centered local proposals that resolve the experience of unsheltered homelessness for people residing in encampments by addressing the safety and wellness of people within encampments, resolve critical encampment concerns, and transition individuals into interim shelter with clear pathways to permanent housing or directly into permanent housing, using data informed, non-punitive, low-barrier, person-centered, housing first, and coordinated approaches and authorizing the City Manager to sign all required implementing documents (Subject to Mayor’s veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve submission of an Encampment Resolution Funding Program, round 2, second disbursement (ERF-2-R) Application to Cal ICH in order to address the existing encampment located in the downtown area in the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno (City) is eligible for ERF-2-R funding to enhance the current Encampment Resolution Funding Program (ERF-1) that has built capacity to provide services that are relevant and responsive to the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness in the encampment. The City intends to apply for one or more eligible activities in an amount not to exceed $15 million. Cal ICH requires all eligible applicants to submit an application for funding no later than February 28, 2023, for Application Window #1 consideration. Applications are accepted on a rolling bases until June 30, 2023, or until funds are exhausted, whichever is sooner.
Program Design
The City’s application will propose an increase in the capacity of the Poverello House’s HOPE Outreach Team by adding six staff to provide housing navigation and clinical services directly to those unsheltered in Downtown Fresno. This added capacity represents an evolution of the City’s approach to resolving chronic street homelessness, as through this program we will link unsheltered residents in Downtown Fresno directly to services provided by Fresno County’s Department of Behavioral Health and Department of Social Services, services primarily available now only through emergency shelter Case Managers.
Additionally, the City’s application will include funding for bridge housing for those who have been in emergency shelter for an extended period, and additional permanent supportive housing units.
The goal of this ERF-2 program design is to get Downtown Fresno to “functional zero” which will mean there are ample paths to shelter and supportive services.
BACKGROUND
Cal ICH announced the availability of approximately $237 million through ERF-2-R Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) authorized by Chapter 7 of Part 1 of Division 31 of the California Health and Safety Code (sections 50250 et seq.). The ERF-2-R is designed to assist local jurisdictions with connecting people experiencing homelessness in encampments to interim shelter with clear pathways to permanent housing or place people directly into permanent housing.
When determining grant awards, funding shall be prioritized for:
• Local Jurisdictions with proposals that address encampments on state rights-of-way and that meet priority criteria established by Cal ICH in consultation with the Department of Transportation.
• Jurisdictions that can demonstrate a commitment to cross-systems including collaborations with state and federal entities, and innovative efforts to resolve encampment issues, while focusing on protecting the health and well-being of the individuals living in those encampments.
• Awarding grants that, to the extent feasible, reflect a range of applicants that represent the diversity of communities across the state, including rural, urban, and suburban communities.
The Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Program will fund actionable, person-centered local proposals that resolve the experience of unsheltered homelessness for people residing in encampments. Resolving these experiences of homelessness will necessarily address the safety and wellness of people within encampments, resolve critical encampment concerns, and transition individuals into interim shelter with clear pathways to permanent housing or directly into permanent housing, using data-informed, non-punitive, low-barrier, person-centered, Housing First, and coordinated approaches.
Proposals may bolster existing, successful models and/or support new approaches that provide safe stable, and ultimately permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness in encampments. Grant funds may be used for activities that advance the goal of the proposed project in any one of the following eligible activity categories:
• Rapid Rehousing
• Operating Subsidies
• Street Outreach
• Services Coordination
• System Support
• Delivery of Permanent Housing
• Prevention and Shelter Diversion
• Interim Sheltering
• Improvements to Existing Emergency Shelters
• Administration: up to 5% of grant funds may be applied to administrative costs.
The City intends to apply for one or more eligible activities in an amount not to exceed $15 million. This grant is not intended to be the sole funding source of the encampment resolution project. Awarded grant funding should be used to accelerate promising programs and practices that are in development and that enhance partnerships and leverage other resources, including initiatives funded by other Cal ICH grants. Projects receiving an award must expend 50% of allocated funds by June 30, 2024, and 100% by June 30, 2026.
The ERF Program is a compatible source of funding for the City’s Homeless Assistance Response Team (HART). HART is a city-wide multi-departmental, multi-agency response coordinated by City and led by on-the-ground Outreach Staff. The HART Team is designed to reduce street homelessness and improve quality of life for residents and businesses in the City. One of its several functions is to address specific, persistent encampments by using resources to provide pathways to permanent housing for individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, the purpose for which the ERF Program was designed.
As part of the application process, the City is required to complete a three-part application which includes the following:
1. Administrative Information
2. Proposal Overview
a. People Served
b. Encampment Information
c. Proposal’s Outcomes
3. Implementation
a. Centering People
b. Core Service Delivery and Housing Strategies
c. Budget and Resource Plan
d. Key Entities and Staff
e. Accelerated Timeline
If selected, Staff will return to Council by May 2023 with a request to accept and appropriate the ERF funding awarded to the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
A resolution applying for grant funding is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because of state funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
This resolution will have no impact on the General Fund.
Attachments:
Exhibit A - ERF Round 2 NOFA
Exhibit B - Resolution