Title
Adopt Two Resolutions to: 1) Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Amendment No. 2 to an Agreement with Alameda County for Homelessness Funding; and 2) Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement with Building Futures for Women and Children in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $200,000 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Shelter Operations in Grant Funds
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITY
• Housing and Homelessness
SUMMARY
This project supports the operations of existing services at local emergency shelters. Services include interim housing, case management and services that will include the following activities and support services: stabilization services that range from meals, on-site case management, individual therapy, life skills coaching, domestic violence and parenting support groups, evening children's activities, and access to health care and other services.
RECOMMENDTATION
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Amendment No. 2 to an Agreement with Alameda County for Homelessness Funding.
2. Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement with Building Futures for Women and Children in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $200,000 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Shelter Operations in Grant Funds.
BACKGROUND
Established on July 31, 2019 by the State of California, the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) grant program provides flexible block grant funding for communities to end and prevent homelessness.
Since 2019, there have been four rounds of HHAP funding totaling nearly $3 billion across the state of California. The City of San Leandro has been allocated $500,091 in HHAP Rounds 1 and 2; $331,178 in HHAP Round 3; and $192,822 in HHAP Round 4. In total, the City of San Leandro has been allocated $1,024,091 in HHAP funds. These funds are administered as pass-through funds from the State to Alameda County.
HHAP Round 1, 2: $500,091
HHAP Round 3: $331,178
HHAP Round 4: $192,822
Total $1,024,091
In May 2023, City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the County for $500,091 in HHAP Round 1 and 2 funds. In November 2023, City Council authorized the City Manager to amend the existing agreement to extend the term and increase the total agreement from $500,091 to $1,024,091 (increase of $524.000).
In March 2024, the County notified the City it would extend the term of the existing agreement through June 30, 2025.
Staff recommends the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a second amendment to the existing agreement between County of Alameda and City of San Leandro to extend the term of the agreement to June 30, 2025.
ANALYSIS
$200,000 in existing HHAP funds are unspent and unencumbered. Staff recommends allocating the unspent funds to Building Futures for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 (FY24-25) shelter operations at San Leandro Shelter and Sister Me Home and fund emergency hotel vouchers during the winter season.
In May 2024, Building Futures notified its funders, including City staff, of an impending shelter deficit for FY2024-2025 and beyond. Building Futures notified the Alameda County Board of Supervisors of this deficit and requested the County to revisit its standard shelter bed-night rate. Should immediate and long-term sustainable funding not be identified, Building Futures must close one of its shelters. The County notified Building Futures it will work to identify any remaining immediate shelter deficits for FY2024-2025, as well as review long-term shelter funding.
Building Futures provides San Leandro individuals and families in need with shelter, domestic violence support and advocacy, and housing services. Building Futures operates the San Leandro Shelter, a 30-bed shelter for women with and without children that provides a warm and safe environment and support services designed to help residents address the obstacles they face to end their homelessness. HHAP funding will support the ongoing operations of this service. Building Futures additionally operates Sister Me Home, a 20-bed shelter with 24-hour staffing and culturally appropriate support services, which is open to all fleeing domestic violence, regardless of gender identification. HHAP funding will be used to support the ongoing operations of these services, in addition to funding hotel vouchers for emergency use in the winter season.
Previous Actions
• May 1, 2023 - City Council approval to authorize City Manager to accept HHAP funds, associated Legistar / agenda file 23-150
• November 20, 2023 - City Council approval to authorize an amendment to existing HHAP agreement and allocate HHAP funds to HCEB and Building Futures, associated Legistar / agenda file 23-548
Legal Analysis
The City Attorney reviewed the documents and approved them as to form.
Financial Impacts
Amending and extending the agreement with Alameda County will allow the City to maximize available grant funding to serve the unhoused. The $200,000 in funds necessary to execute the agreement were provided via an external grant; therefore the proposed actions will result in no impacts to the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
• Attachment A: Resolution to Amend County Agreement
• Attachment B: Resolution to Execute Agreement with Building Futures
• Attachment C: First Amendment to Agreement with County
• Attachment D: Agreement with County
• Attachment E: Draft Second Amendment to Agreement with County
PREPARED BY:
Jessica Lobedan, Director, Human Services Department