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
Housing and Community Development Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to homeless services agreements provided under the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) program:
1. Approve an Agreement with Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission to operate two additional units at the Youth Bridge Housing program in the total amount of $84,333.
2. Approve an Agreement with Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission to operate four units at the HOPE Youth Bridge Housing program in the total amount of $399,067.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the HHAP agreements with Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission (FEOC) for homeless youth services from November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2024, in the total amount of $483,400 and authorize the City Manager to sign all implementing agreements.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno (City) is seeking to award funding for homeless youth services as part of the HHAP program requirements. Staff issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on August 8, 2022, and received two proposals, one of which was determined to be disqualified and one that was determined to be qualified and most responsive to the RFP. Based on the evaluation completed by a selection panel, staff recommends awarding FEOC a total allocation of $483,400 for two two-year agreements.
BACKGROUND
In February 2020, the City was awarded HHAP funding in the amount of $6,158,246.18 from the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council to address homelessness and in September 2021 received $2,911,171 in a second round of HHAP allocations. Health and Safety Code Section 50218.5(f) requires that a program recipient use at least 8 percent of its allocation for services for homeless youth populations, which are defined as unaccompanied youth who are between 12 and 24 years old and experiencing homelessness. Funds spent under this provision must comply with the eligible use requirements of Health and Safety Code Section 50220.5 (d).
Staff issued an RFP on August 8, 2022, requesting proposals for youth navigation and bridge housing services. The City received two proposals by the September 2, 2022, deadline. A selection panel comprised of representatives from the City’s Housing and Community Development, Long Range Planning, and Homeless Assistance Response Team (HART) divisions in the Planning and Development Department, and Office of Community Affairs. The panel evaluated the proposals based on the ability to meet the stated service requirements, conformance with the terms and conditions of the RFP, costs associated with providing services, past performance and experience, and other related information provided. The panel determined one proposal to be disqualified as it did not include the requested activities as outlined in the RFP. The panel, therefore, found FEOC’s proposal to be qualified and most responsive. Based on this evaluation staff recommends awarding FEOC.
FEOC’s proposal included the expansion of its current youth bridge housing program. On June 27, 2019, Council approved an agreement with FEOC to provide youth bridge housing to homeless youth at a facility located at 1046 T Street using Homeless Emergency Aid Program funds. On June 24, 2021, Council approved an amendment to extend the agreement using HHAP funds. The agreement utilizes the youth set aside of the first allocation of HHAP funds for two apartments at the youth bridge housing. Approving the $84,333 HHAP agreement with FEOC would expand operations at the current youth bridge housing location by two more apartment units.
Secondly, FEOC’s proposal included a collaborative program with Fresno City Community College’s (FCCC) Housing Opportunities Promote Education Program (Project HOPE) which has a mission to provide housing to alleviate barriers for homeless students impeding academic success. FEOC partners with FCCC to provide housing navigation services to Project HOPE students, who are unstably housed and enrolled full-time in school. The HOPE Youth Bridge Housing program will be operated at a facility owned by FEOC located at 1545 N Street. The program will include the operation of eight rooms for youth/young adults four of which will be funded by FCCC. Approval of the $399,067 HHAP agreement would fund the remaining four units at the HOPE Youth Bridge Housing.
Responsibilities of the Fresno EOC under the HHAP Homeless Youth Services Contracts will include:
1.) Youth Coordinated Entry Navigation Services via outreach, engagement, case management, and support. Navigators will assist clients that have been moved into bridge housing to access necessary social services and quickly obtain permanent housing.
2.) Youth Bridge Housing services that ensure youth who are unsheltered, or not appropriate for the adult triage center, have an emergency bed available and those preparing to enter into permanent housing are housed and easily located, receiving the necessary services to access the permeant housing provider. Services will be housing-focused and highly integrated with the permanent housing provider.
The proposed agreements totaling $483,400 with FEOC would ensure the City meets the youth set aside requirements set by Health and Safety Code Section 50218.5(f) and provide the homeless youth community additional beds and navigation services to secure permanent housing.
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
The agreements will be funded through the City’s HHAP allocations.
Attachments:
1. Agreement with Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission - Youth Bridge Housing
2. Agreement with Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission - HOPE Youth Bridge Housing