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Anaheim, CA 92805
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
DATE: JULY 16, 2024
FROM: HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH JMH-
ANAHEIM FOUNDATION, INC. DBA LOVE ANAHEIM
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 20
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: YES
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Anaheim City Council, by Motion, waive Council Policy 4.1 and approve a Professional Services Agreement with JMh-Anaheim Foundation Inc. dba Love Anaheim, for a one-year term beginning August 1, 2024, with two optional one-year extensions, in an amount not-to-exceed $474,805.44, to reinstate the Better Way Anaheim Program's efforts to help people experiencing homelessness re-enter the workforce, and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the Agreement and all other documents necessary to implement and administer the program.
DISCUSSION:
In December 2017, the City partnered with Love Anaheim to establish the Better Way Anaheim (BWA) program designed to equip those experiencing homelessness with the necessary skills for formal employment. The activities include beautification and maintenance work in Anaheim’s parks, public facilities, and streets. Additionally, BWA facilitates connections to Chrysalis to assist participants with more intensive connections to workforce opportunities to break the cycle of homelessness. The program is available to residents of the Anaheim Emergency Shelter and clients from various homeless service providers.
The last BWA Agreement was approved by the City Council to commence on June 21, 2022, for a one-year term with two optional one-year renewals. An Amendment increased the not-to-exceed amount from $279,225 to $500,000 annually, funded by the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP) grant. The increase in funding supported an expanded scope of work that included an increase in the number of service projects and the hiring of a program manager to coordinate the projects. It also allowed for further development of skill-building programming.
During the previous contract term, between the periods of November 2022 and June 2024, Love Anaheim has offered 784 service opportunities to participants. Under the new agreement, Better Way Work Program 1.0, will run one day a week for 4-5 hours a day with up to five participants each week. Participants receive gift cards, volunteer Professional Services Agreement with JMh-Anaheim Foundation Inc. dba Love Anaheim July 16, 2024
hours, and work on community projects, and they are required to sign up with Chrysalis as the next step in the work program. Under the journey-level program, Better Way Work Program 2.0, participants who have successfully completed the 1.0 program may apply and work for Love Anaheim in 15-week segments, paid minimum wage.
Participants must apply, interview, and submit a resume. Under the scaled-down program, five extended employment opportunities will be provided.
By the end of the last Agreement on June 7, 2024, it became apparent that limited HHAP grant funding would be available, creating uncertainty regarding the program's future funding at its existing scale. Despite these funding challenges, the program's value to community reintegration for people experiencing homelessness and its essential contributions to the City indicated the need for its continuation. Consequently, it is recommended that a reduced version of the program be implemented to maintain critical services.
To this end, the Housing and Community Development Department collaborated with Love Anaheim to streamline the program by reducing the number of projects and service opportunities offered. This adjustment ensures that the program remains sustainable while continuing to meet community needs. Anaheim Public Utilities (APU) will provide funding for services that include fire hydrant painting, picking up trash and minor cleaning at utility facilities, and distributing event flyers.
Furthermore, the program's service opportunities extend to operating and staffing the Choice Market at the Mobile Family Resource Centers within priority neighborhoods, which had been temporarily halted. With this new agreement, the Choice Market will be able to start back up and may continue to operate for the next three years.
If approved, the new Agreement for the BWA program will begin on August 1, 2024, and conclude on July 31, 2025, with the option to extend for two additional one-year terms. The Agreement stipulates a maximum funding amount of $157,269 per year, comprising a yearly contribution of $20,000 from APU and $137,269 from the HHAP funds received from the State.
The Better Way Anaheim program's success in providing employment skills and contributing to the community through various service projects underscores its value.
Continued funding is essential to sustain this impactful program and its contributions to Anaheim's community and those experiencing homelessness.
This project is in line with the City’s Strategic Plan Goal B Enhance Livability, Strategy 9 – Maintain and expand services to address homelessness and its impacts.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient funds are available in the Housing & Community Development and Public Utilities Department FY 2024/25 budgets.
Professional Services Agreement with JMh-Anaheim Foundation Inc. dba Love Anaheim July 16, 2024
Respectfully submitted,
Grace Ruiz-Stepter
Director of Housing and Community Development
Attachment:
1. Professional Services Agreement – JMh-Anaheim Foundation Inc. dba Love Anaheim