Title
Recommendation to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute a $285,767 Grant Agreement with Alameda County for Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Grant, and Authorize the City Manager, in the Future, to Extend the Term of the Contract up to December 31, 2023; and
Adoption of Resolution Amending the Grants Fund (222) Budget to Appropriate $285,767 for the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Grant Project. (Community Development 10061833)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is recommending that the City Council authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a $285,767 contract with Alameda County (County) for a Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant for the “Day Center”, “Day Center Overnight Program”, and “Safe Parking Program” for homeless individuals, and authorize the City Manager, in the future, to extend the term of the agreement up to December 31, 2023.
Staff is also recommending that the City Council adopt a resolution to appropriate the $285,767 of grant funds.
Funding from the County for these purposes would augment funding previously budgeted from the City of Alameda (City) and fully support the Day Center, Day Center Overnight Program and Safe Parking Program offered at Village of Love. The supplemental funding will address unfunded program needs related to the warming center, portable toilets and flexible funds.
BACKGROUND
HHAP is a grant designed to support regional coordination and expand or develop local capacity to address immediate challenges related to homelessness throughout the state. Spending must be informed by a best practices framework focused on moving homeless individuals and families into permanent housing and ensuring those individuals and families are able to maintain their permanent housing. HHAP is authorized by AB 101 (Committee on Budget, Chapter 159, Statutes of 2019), which was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on July 31, 2019. The City’s funding is provided through the County.
In 2019, the City received notification that it would receive $765,624 in State Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) funds. HEAP grants are the predecessor grants to HHAP. In 2019, City Council directed City staff to work with the Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) to formulate a HEAP allocation plan and oversee implementation of projects. The Safe Parking Program and Day Center were two of the projects developed with HEAP grant funds.
In January of 2021, work began on a five-year plan to address homelessness. The resulting strategic plan, The Road Home: A Five Year Plan to Prevent and Respond to Homelessness in Alameda, was approved by the City Council on October 5, 2021. Strategy 2.2 of The Road Home recommends providing low-barrier, housing-focused temporary housing. Strategy 2.3 recommends expanding outreach and supportive services to unsheltered households. By providing (i) extended Day Center hours of operation, (ii) continuing the Day Center Overnight Program and (iii) Safe Parking Program weekend services, the City not only provides shelter to the most vulnerable, but also creates a way for unhoused individuals to connect with housing and supportive resources through their interactions with program staff.
City staff presented to the City Council on July 20, 2021 to request guidance on potential uses for HHAP funds. The City Council directed staff to pursue extended service hours with existing service providers, increased outreach and mental health services and the development of flexible funds to support the emergency needs of the homeless. These items were proposed to the County. Due to the constraints of HHAP funding, the County did not approve the use of these funds to support outreach, mental health supports or flexible funds.
During the budget process, the City Council approved funding for extended hours for the Day Center and Safe Parking Program weekend service. In October and November of 2021, the City entered into contracts with the Village of Love to implement these expanded services using City funding. In November 2021, due to the inclement weather and in anticipation of receiving HHAP funds, the City also entered into a contract with Village of Love to partially fund the overnight shelter at the Day Center for up to 12 individuals. The number was changed to eight due to COVID physical distancing requirements, and recently expanded to ten.
DISCUSSION
Approval of this grant agreement with the County would allow for the continuation of increased access to the Day Center, the Day Center Overnight Program for eight to 12 individuals, and the Safe Parking Program for up to 25 cars and vans. Through City and HHAP funding, the City will expand participation in services and provide access to a safe, warm and inviting environment 365 days a year. Funding from the City and HHAP are both needed to fully fund these services.
The Day Center, Day Center Overnight Program and Safe Parking Program offer a point of contact from which trust may be built to encourage use of supportive services. The Day Center currently offers meals, computer usage, phone charging, Wi-Fi, and access to health care and social services. Participants are able to utilize transportation services to arrive at the program from anywhere in Alameda.
Funding from Alameda County would be used for Day Center extended hours, the Day Center Overnight Program and the Safe Parking Program. The goal of the Day Center is to provide a safe, sanitary, secure and welcoming place for homeless individuals to relax, have access to showers, get information, connect to services, and be supported by staff and peers.
The $285,767 would be expended within fiscal years (FY) 2021-22 and 2022-23. County staff have verbally indicated they will issue an extension to the contract to be inclusive of this time. Staff recommends authorizing the City Manager to extend the term of this agreement up to December 2023, when the contract extension is offered by the county. The funds will be allocated as follows, any remaining funds will be carried over to FY 2022-23.
HHAP Funded Expenses - 10/01/2021-12/31/2022
|
Category |
Amount |
|
Day Center Extended Hours and Day Center Overnight Program |
$183,275 |
|
Safe Parking Program |
$102,492 |
|
TOTAL |
$285,767 |
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a $285,767 agreement with the County for a HHAP grant, and authorize the City Manager, in the future, to extend the term of the grant agreement up to December 31, 2023. Staff also recommends adoption of resolution appropriating the grant funds.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a $285,767 grant agreement with the County for a HHAP grant and adopt the resolution amending the budget of the Grants Fund (222) to appropriate $285,767 in the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention grant project, and authorize the City Manager, in the future, to extend the term of the contract with Alameda County up to December 30, 2022.
• Direct staff reduce the amount of the HHAP grant with the County and reduce the proposed services, and authorize the City Manager, in the future, to extend the contract with the County to an alternative future date.
• Decline to move forward with the execution of a grant agreement with the County for the HHAP grant funding.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Staff proposed to amend the budget of the Grants Fund (222) to appropriate $285,767 in a newly established Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention grant project.
As of the date of this report, $93,600 in HHAP-eligible expenses have been charged to the General Fund - Homelessness budget in FY 2021-22. If the grant agreement is approved, staff recommend reclassifying these expenses to the HHAP grant project for reimbursement, which would result in General Fund savings of $93,600. Next fiscal year, charges will be applied directly to the grant project.
If the grant agreement is not approved, HHAP-eligible expenses will continue to be incurred in the General Fund subject to City Council appropriations approval.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Social Services Human Relations Board Charter and Ordinance authority “to improve social services in the community” (Alameda Municipal Code Section 2-11.5) and the Report on Homelessness Policies and Programs.
This action is consistent with Goal 2 of the “Road Home - A Five-Year Strategic Plan to Prevent and Respond to Homelessness in Alameda: “Increase Access to Homeless Emergency Response Services.”
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
The Social Vulnerability Assessment section of the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan states:
“adaptation strategies should consider how [the homeless] will receive emergency communications and how they will be sheltered. Proper, safe housing for all is an adaptation and resilience strategy. Planning strategies should always consider these vulnerable populations in adaptation efforts.”
The grant will provide for operation of the Day Center and the Safe Parking Program. The Day Center and Safe Parking Program will provide safe, warm, and welcoming places to shelter those who are unhoused in Alameda while connecting them to health, mental health, and social service supports.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a $285,767 grant agreement with the County for a HHAP grant, and authorize the City Manager, in the future, to extend the contract up to December 31, 2023.
Adopt a resolution amending the Grants Fund (222) to appropriate $285,767 for the HHAP grant project.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Nelson Maxwell, Community Development Director
By:
Veronika Cole, Community Services Manager
Lois Butler, Economic Development and Community Services Manager
Financial impact section reviewed,
By: Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. HHAP Grant Agreement
cc: Gerry Beaudin, Interim City Manager