Title
Adopt a Resolution to Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement with Building Futures for Women and Children for Homeless Outreach Services in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $147,000 in Previously Approved General Fund Monies
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Housing and Homelessness
SUMMARY
Building Futures for Women and Children (Building Futures) delivers a range of homelessness and housing response services in San Leandro, including emergency shelter, interim housing, domestic violence services, and operation of the City’s Housing Resource Center (HRC). The HRC serves as the primary entry point for homeless services, offering Coordinated Entry, basic needs support, housing assistance, and service linkages.
Street outreach, also operated by Building Futures, is a critical component of the City’s continuum of homelessness response. Outreach engages unsheltered individuals in encampments, vehicles, and RVs, connecting them to health care, social services, and housing resources.
Staff recommend that the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Building Futures for Women and Children for homeless outreach consulting services in an amount not-to-exceed $147,000.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend the City Council:
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement for consulting services with Building Futures for Women and Children in an amount not-to-exceed $147,000 for homeless outreach services.
BACKGROUND
According to data from the 2024 Point-in-Time Count, there are 284 individuals experiencing homelessness in San Leandro, with approximately 73% (n=228) experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Among the unsheltered population, 30% reside in vehicles or RVs, 37% in tents or makeshift shelters, 17% on streets or sidewalks, and 16% in other locations.
ANALYSIS
Building Futures provides San Leandro individuals and families in need with shelter, domestic violence support and advocacy, and housing and homelessness response services. Building Futures operates the following interim housing and emergency shelter programs in San Leandro:
- San Leandro Shelter: A 30-bed emergency shelter for women with and without children that provides a safe environment and supportive services to help residents overcome barriers to ending homelessness.
- Sister Me Home: A 20-bed emergency shelter for individuals fleeing domestic violence, regardless of gender identity.
- Lewelling Interim Housing: The City’s recently opened 29-room interim housing program for adults over 18 years of age.
In addition, Building Futures serves as the Housing Resource Center (HRC) operator for the City of San Leandro, which functions as the primary entry point for homeless services. HRC services include:
- Coordinated Entry assessments
- Access to food, beverages, clothing, hygiene items, and transportation vouchers
- Use of computers and phones
- Housing assistance, including permanent supportive housing placement and rapid rehousing
- Linkages to community and mainstream services
- Referrals to medical, dental, and mental health services
Building Futures also provides street outreach, which is a critical component of San Leandro’s continuum of homelessness response. Outreach functions as the initial point of contact for unsheltered individuals and is designed to connect them with services across the continuum, including Coordinated Entry, emergency shelter, interim housing, supportive services, and ultimately permanent housing. Outreach activities include regular engagement at encampments, vehicles, and RVs, with Street Health teams building trust and facilitating connections to medical care, behavioral health, social services, and housing resources. Building Futures identifies target areas in the City of San Leandro to conduct outreach, based on referrals from City staff, collaborating with other nonprofit partners, and utilizing data and community input to ensure services are directed where they are most needed.
Staff recommend that the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Building Futures for homeless outreach consulting services in an amount not-to-exceed $147,000.
Legal Analysis
The City Attorney reviewed the documents and approved them as to form.
Financial Impacts
This item would allocate $147,000 in City General Fund monies that were previously authorized through the Biennial Budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
• Attachment A: Resolution
PREPARED BY:
Jessica Lobedan, Human Services Director, Deveon Remaker, Program Coordinator
APPROVED BY:
Jessica Lobedan, Director, Human Services Department