Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a One-Year Agreement with Rebuilding Together East Bay Network (RTEBN) for Residential Rehabilitation Rental Projects for Low- and Moderate-Income Households, in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $400,000.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). (City Manager 20321844)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Gerry Beaudin, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) is an entitlement recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City currently allocates CDBG funds for residential rehabilitation administration and program delivery costs. Staff is requesting approval to execute a one-year agreement with Rebuilding Together East Bay Network (RTEBN) to carry out services for a Residential Rehabilitation program that will carry out safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency upgrades for low to moderate income households in the City. RTEBN was selected through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
BACKGROUND
The Residential Rehabilitation Program is currently using CDBG funds for program costs and loan repayments to fund new loans. The Residential Rehabilitation program is aligned with the City’s Strategic Plan Priority which consists of maintaining affordable housing stock and promoting housing support services for our most vulnerable communities including low-income seniors and disabled residents.
DISCUSSION
The City will allocate up to $400,000 to fund residential rehabilitation program delivery activities and the accompanying administrative costs to carry out the activities.
On December 31, 2025, the City’s agreement with Rebuilding Together East Bay Network (RTEBN) ended. As the program administrator for the rehabilitation program, RTEBN helped the City carry out a multifaceted program to improve housing conditions for low to moderate-income homeowners, with a prioritization for seniors and individuals with disabilities. City staff issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to continue the program with a larger budget and shift from a focus on homeownership to small rental buildings with low to moderate income tenants. The expansion of the program aims to further address Alameda’s housing challenges by ensuring affordable rental homes are safe and accessible and allow for seniors to age in place. The shift from low to moderate income homeowners to low to moderate income renters was implemented due to low participation in the homeowner focused program. Through staff’s outreach for last year’s cycle, it was discovered there were already existing programs available to low-income homeowners and therefore not a sufficient enough need to extend the program with the previous eligibility requirements around homeownership. In addition, the funding available is for smaller scale improvements related to safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency such as ramps, grab bars, small electrical updates, smoke and monoxide alarm installation, etc. The improvements needed by some interested homeowners exceeded the amount the program could grant per household. During outreach, staff encountered many inquiries related to rental homes. This program revision targets an expressed community need in our community and assists a broader number of people.
RTEBN was selected through the competitive RFP process. The RFP was released on April 14, 2026, and open for 30 days. Applicants were required to submit written responses describing their experience, organizational structures, and their proposed scope of work for the residential rehabilitation program. Two proposals were received and reviewed by a panel of staff and an outside CDBG expert. RTEBN received the highest score based on their experience and was selected to be the program administrator for the upcoming fiscal year.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
• Do not to authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $400,000 is available from CDBG funding for the Residential Rehabilitation program with the purpose of carrying out program delivery and the accompanying administrative costs. There is no impact to the City’s General Fund.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda 2040 General Plan Housing Element Goal 1 “Provide an ample supply of housing to meet the existing and projected housing needs,” and specifically actions to apply for funding sources that facilitate the construction of housing for lower income households in Alameda.
This action is also consistent with the Housing Element’s Strategic Plan priorities #HH3 - Further the preservation, rehabilitation, or construction of affordable housing in Alameda, and #HH8 Streamline housing production.
This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Rebuilding Together East Bay Network (RTEBN) for residential rehabilitation rental projects for low- and moderate-income households, in an amount not-to-exceed $400,000.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Assistant City Manager
By,
Grecia Mannah-Ayon, Housing and Human Services Program Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Agreement