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Anaheim, CA 92805
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
DATE: DECEMBER 12, 2023
FROM: HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: COMMUNITY CARE RESPONSE TEAM (CCRT) HOMELESS
HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND PREVENTION PROGRAM
SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH KINGDOM CAUSES,
INC., DBA CITY NET TO PROVIDE STREET OUTREACH AND
SERVICES
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 11
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve the Community Care Response Team (CCRT) Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program Subrecipient Agreement with Kingdom Causes, Inc., dba City Net, to provide street outreach and services to individuals experiencing homelessness for a two-year contract term commencing January 1, 2024, ending on December 31, 2025, with maximum compensation authority in the amount of $8,354,857.11; and authorize the Housing & Community Development Department Director, or her designee, to execute the agreement and other documents necessary to implement and administer the program on behalf of the City, provided that the maximum compensation authority is not increased.
BACKGROUND:
In December 2020, the City entered into an agreement with Kingdom Causes Inc. dba City Net, a non-profit homeless outreach service provider, to lead the implementation of a new unique, robust street outreach pilot program, called the Community Care Response Team (CCRT). The goal of the CCRT was twofold, (1) to change the City’s approach to addressing homelessness by shifting from a reactive, complaint-driven response to an outreach and engagement model utilizing community outreach workers to increase the number of individuals who enter the City’s homeless system of care and (2) to provide support the Anaheim Police Department and other City first responders who were serving as the primary, and often sole responders, to homelessness prior to the introduction of CCRT.
The initial one-year pilot program was supported by funds from the Emergency Solution Grant Program - Corona Virus (ESG-CV) provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The ESG-CV program required that funds be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus among individuals and families CCRT Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Agreement with Kingdom Causes dba City Net December 12, 2023
experiencing homelessness or receiving homeless assistance. Over the course of the first year, the efforts of the CCRT proved instrumental in facilitating treatment and education related to COVID-19.
Through the initial pilot program, the City was able to realize an increase in the number of individuals moving from homelessness to shelter, bridge housing, as well as permanent housing. Critical learnings from the pilot program included tangible evidence of the need to have a dedicated team of professionals leading individuals into the Orange County Coordinated Entry System (CES), and real-life learnings demonstrated that building trust through frequent interactions is essential to engaging persons with a longer history of homelessness. The CES is an important mechanism through which people experiencing homelessness or at risk of it, can access the crisis response system within the City and County through a streamlined approach. This streamlined approach wherein individuals undergo an assessment, considers the unique needs of children and their families as well as youth. Subsequently, connecting them to housing solutions and relevant mainstream services tailored to their specific requirements within the community or designated region.
Recognizing positive results and the ongoing need for street outreach services, in 2021, the City approved the continuation of the CCRT program. The First Amendment to the Agreement with City Net extended the pilot program for an additional two years ending December 31, 2023. The total contract authority for this extension was not to exceed $8,591,641 funded through a combination of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Grant and CARES Act ESG-CV funding.
Over the last decade, Anaheim has seen an increase in the number of individuals experiencing homelessness within the community. The upswing in homelessness in Anaheim mirrors broader regional, state, and national trends. Contributing factors encompass a range of issues including scarcity of quality employment opportunities, the nationwide opioid epidemic, an inadequate availability of mental health resources, and a pressing affordable housing crisis prevalent in California.
In response to this crisis, the City has devised a multifaceted approach aimed at addressing and mitigating the challenges faced by both the people experiencing homelessness and the community at large. These efforts include the establishment of both temporary and permanent emergency shelters, fostering collaborations with non-profit organizations and faith-based groups operating in Anaheim, and the development of affordable permanent supportive housing. The introduction of the CCRT to the system of care was yet another effort to enhance and address gaps in services.
Through this multifaceted approach, the City made progress toward reducing the impact of homelessness as indicated in the 2022 Point-in-Time Count (See Table 1).
CCRT Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Agreement with Kingdom Causes dba City Net December 12, 2023
Point-in-Time Count
Table 1
The improvement noted in 2022 is partially attributed to the successful implementation of the CCRT street outreach pilot program implemented in 2020. The CCRT was strategically designed to overhaul the City's approach to addressing calls related to homelessness and mental health, transitioning from a police-centric response to a more comprehensive social services approach led by a diverse team of professionals. Prior to the creation of the CCRT, Anaheim police officers were tasked with responding to reports of homeless activity. While law enforcement still responds to calls for service requiring police presence, CCRT is able to respond to and address the large majority of homeless- related calls for service.
This allows police to use resources to address true emergencies and provides a person- centered response to people experiencing homelessness. Since 2020, the Anaheim Police Department (APD) has received 111,794 homeless-related calls for service.
In addition to responding to calls diverted from APD, current year Anaheim Anytime inquiries under the “Question About Homelessness” category generated close to 3,900 submissions through November 19, 2023, most of which are forwarded to City Net to respond and coordinate follow-up services. Beyond responding to service requests dispatched through the City’s Anaheim Anytime system and APD, CCRT manages its own dedicated hotline, directly receiving reports of homeless activity.
DISCUSSION:
Based on ongoing needs, staff recommends the continuation of homeless outreach services and requests approval of the Community Care Response Team (CCRT) Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program Subrecipient Agreement with Kingdom Causes, Inc., doing business as City Net to provide street outreach and services to individuals experiencing homelessness. The contract term of the agreement CCRT Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Agreement with Kingdom Causes dba City Net December 12, 2023
commences on January 1, 2024 and ends on December 31, 2025, with maximum compensation authority in the amount of $8,354,857.11
Instrumental Partner in Homelessness Response Services
As the initial point of contact facilitating the delivery of other services, City Net is an essential piece in the Anaheim Homelessness System of Care. As a willing partner, City Net fills gaps in services as they are identified with a “whatever-it-takes” approach to meet the needs of the City and its residents.
Community Care Response Team
CCRT currently operates seven days a week, with fourteen-hour shifts spanning from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CCRT street outreach services include a comprehensive initial assessment to identify the specific needs of individuals and subsequently coordinate transportation and real-time referrals to Anaheim's services for unhoused individuals and families. CCRT’s coordination of services extends to wound care, shelters, mental health services, sobering beds, medical facilities, case management, rapid rehousing, bridge, transitional, permanent, and supportive housing. The comprehensive services extend to homeless prevention and diversion assistance, population-specific shelters, tenant-based rental assistance programs, and various social services integrated within Anaheim's Homelessness System of Care.
ACCESS Program Case-Management
In the first year of Anaheim’s Collaborative Court Evaluating Strategies and Solutions (ACCESS) Program, City Net played a pivotal role in the delivery of case management and housing navigation services to program participants. The ACCESS program, a collaborative effort between the Orange County Superior Court, the City Attorney, Be Well OC, and City Net, is specifically designed to divert individuals in the justice system for minor offenses associated with homelessness from incarceration to a housing and wellness plan. The ACCESS Program incentivizes participants facing incarceration to embrace treatment, case management, and shelter options, with the ultimate goal of placement in permanent housing. Participation in the ACCESS program entails regular check-ins with licensed clinicians, court appearances, and housing appointments, forming a structured pathway for individuals progressing through the program. These comprehensive and intensive services that included transportation to the various appointments are provided by trauma-informed trained professionals at City Net over a period of three months to one year, and in certain cases, maybe even longer. This extended duration is deliberately designed to ensure the successful reintegration of the program’s participants into treatment and care after years of living unsheltered, fostering a sustainable transition from homelessness to stable housing.
Relocation Assistance and Housing Navigation
The CCRT supported the Housing and Community Development Department by relocating 63 individuals, 23 pets, and 20 vehicles to Studio 6 Motel within two weeks.
This was part of the city's initiative to repurpose old motels into both temporary and long- CCRT Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Agreement with Kingdom Causes dba City Net December 12, 2023
term supportive housing. Additionally, CCRT aided in relocating individuals affected by the acquisition of the Anaheim Lodge Motel. Looking ahead, as the City progresses with the second phase of transforming Studio 6 Motel into permanent supportive housing, CCRT will once more help current residents transition during the conversion process.
City Net also provides housing navigation services. City Net not only provides transportation to appointments but also assists with gathering documents, application completion, first- and last-month deposits, and starter furnishings. These services collectively contribute to the ability of individuals and families to secure permanent housing and to remain stably housed long-term.
Extended Outreach
To address encampments along the periphery of our City, the City has agreements with Caltrans and Union Pacific Railroad (UPR) that allow the City to enter these properties.
Before and during planned cleanup efforts, City Net conducts outreach to persons along these routes. Often, the individuals on these sites are the most difficult to engage in services. It is noted here that outreach in these areas requires the ability to navigate rough terrain, including water channels, storm drains, riverbeds, underground tunnels, wetlands, railroad tracks, and bridge underpasses.
In addition to the support provided for encampment clearance, it is important to highlight that CCRT outreach efforts are conducted during times of inclement weather and that the teams increase efforts to get people into shelters in advance of known weather events.
Support for Competitive Grant Funding and Compliance
Data collected through the homeless outreach engagement efforts of the CCRT has provided important information that the City has needed to identify gaps in services and strengthen grant applications. CCRT collects demographic and engagement information on persons experiencing homelessness on Anaheim streets, and when possible, they also enter individual information into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). HMIS information is used to inform County, State, and Federal entities on the nature and extent of homelessness in the County. This data is used to drive funding decisions.
As a primary example, the City is a recipient of funds from the State’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Grant Program. To date, the City has been awarded four rounds of HHAP funds representing more than $28 million in State resources to address homelessness. HHAP funds are provided to Anaheim-based on demonstrated need. The work of the CCRT and the data gained from their efforts is essential to supporting Anaheim's requests for annual funding. The data is also used to demonstrate compliance with State requirements associated with the receipt of these resources.
The engagement and outcomes listed below (Table 2) highlights some of the data collected by CCRT and also demonstrates outcomes attributed to their work.
CCRT Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Agreement with Kingdom Causes dba City Net December 12, 2023
City Net Impact Report
January 1, 2021 - October 31, 2023
Dispatched Calls 47,605
Client Interaction 32,050
COVID-19 Encounters 6,002
Permanently Housed (Households) 485
Directly from Street 265
Through Emergency Shelter 220
Table 2
Staff believes that street outreach is a necessary tool in the support of those experiencing homelessness and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents, particularly in areas significantly impacted by homeless activity. Based on the body of work performed during the past three years and the data collected, staff recommends approval of the Agreement with City Net. Addressing homelessness requires a nuanced and compassionate strategy, and City Net brings to the table the expertise of trained professionals and a specific understanding of the issues facing the City of Anaheim.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The Housing and Community Development’s FY 2023/24 budget includes $3,742,032 from Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Rounds 3 and 4 awards.
The remaining budget balance of up to $4,612,825 will be increased and funded with HHAP Round 5 upon the approval of the California Interagency Council on Homelessness Department. There is no impact on the General Fund Respectfully submitted,
Grace Ruiz-Stepter
Director of Housing and Community Development
Attachments:
1. Agreement with Kingdom Causes, Inc., dba City Net
2. Operational Budget for 2024 and 2025