REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 29, 2015
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Amendment No. 2015-003 amending the Annual Action Plan to award 2012-2013 Emergency Solutions Grant Program funding to the Marjaree Mason Center in the amount of $100,000 for emergency shelter, and Westcare California, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $269,008 for rapid re-housing and homeless prevention, and authorize the City Manager to execute agreements
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Approve Amendment No. 2012-003 Amending the Annual Action Plan to award 2012-2013 Emergency Solutions Grant ("ESG") Program funding to the Marjaree Mason Center ("MMC") in the amount of $100,000 for emergency shelter, and Westcare California, Inc. ("WestCare"), in an amount not to exceed $269,008 for rapid re-housing and homeless prevention; and
2) Authorize the City Manager to execute ESG Agreements with the MMC and WestCare, subject to City Attorney approval as to form.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On November 14, 2014, the Purchasing Division released, for the Development and Resource Management Department, a Request for Proposals ("RFP") soliciting emergency shelter and homelessness prevention services to be funded with $528,000 in ESG Program funds. In response to the RFP, the Development and Resource Management Department received two proposals. The MMC submitted one proposal requesting $100,000 for its emergency shelter services and programs. WestCare also submitted one proposal requesting $269,008 for its rapid re-housing and homeless prevention services and programs.
BACKGROUND
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. In addition, on December 20, 2014, staff published a substantial amendment notice to inform the public of the two service providers selected to receive 2012-2013 ESG Program funds, as identified through the November 14, 2014 RFP process, and the amount of the award.
The Amendment will satisfy federal regulations which require jurisdictions to amend their annual action plans and undergo a 30-day public review and comment period when entitlement funds are used for new projects; a budget increases substantially; or the location of projects change or have not been previously identified. In this case, the City has not previously identified the MMC and WestCare as recipients of ESG funds. Upon expiration of the 30-day public comment period, the City will enter into an agreement (Exhibit "A") with the service providers for proposed services.
Of the $596,740 (2012-2013) allocation of ESG funding, $528,000 was published in RFP as available
for emergency shelter and homelessness prevention services and programs. Five percent (5%) will be utilized by the City for staff time to implement the ESG Program.
The MMC is a non-profit organization that has provided emergency shelter services for domestic violence victims for over 35 years. Under its emergency shelter component, the MMC proposes to provide 24-hour services to individuals and family who are homeless due to circumstances of domestic violence. The MMC provides shelter in secured locations that are in close proximity to amenities. Its emergency center services include: Case management; parenting classes; life skills classes; counseling and therapy for adults and children; legal assistance; support groups; food and clothing; and linkage to transitional, permanent housing and job training agencies. Staff recommends approval of the MMC's request for $100,000 in ESG funds to deliver its ongoing emergency shelter services and programs. MMC proposes to serve 300 unduplicated homeless women and children who are fleeing domestic violence, within the six-month funding period.
WestCare is non-profit organization that has provided housing services for the City's homeless population for over 40 years. In collaboration with Turning Point of Central California and the Poverello House, WestCare is proposing to focus on housing unsheltered homeless individuals residing in the City of Fresno, including chronically homeless individuals, homeless veterans, and other persons identified as being at risk of becoming homeless. The WestCare organization provides an array of services through its many programs; however, the benefits provided with the use of 2012-2013 ESG Program funds will be primarily for housing homeless individuals. WestCare proposes to serve 100 homeless individuals within the six-month funding period. Staff recommends that the ESG Program funding to WestCare be limited to an amount not to exceed $269,008 to deliver its homeless prevention services and programs.
This item was presented to the Housing and Community Development Commission on January 28, 2015.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
In accordance with California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines, Section 15378, these items do not qualify as a "project" and are therefore exempt from the CEQA requirements. In addition, the proposed services are not subject to an environmental review under the provision of the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA") 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
No local preference was required as part of the RFP. The RFP specified qualified/eligible vendors as agencies that are State-certified non-profit entities, validly existing in California, with a tax-exempt IRS determination letter, or public agencies that are qualified to receive ESG Program funding under applicable federal rules. In addition, the organizations were required to have a minimum of two years' experience serving the beneficiary populations, and a minimum of two years' experience utilizing federal, state and/or local funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
Fiscal Year 2012-2013 ESG Program funds are available in the Development and Resource Management Department's Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
Attachment: Exhibit A - ESG Agreement Template