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Anaheim, CA 92805
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
DATE: AUGUST 26, 2025
FROM: HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: APPROVE THE UPDATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY
OF ANAHEIM AND ANAHEIM UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
FOR THE HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 12
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve the updated policies and procedures for the Homeless Assistance Program for Families (HAP-F) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), substantially in the form attached, between the City of Anaheim (City) and the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) for referrals to HAP-F, for a term expiring June 30, 2027, with automatic three-year renewals; authorize the Director of Housing and Community Development Department, or her designee, to take all actions necessary to execute and administer the MOU and the HAP-F program on behalf of the City; and authorize de minimis changes to the MOU that do not substantially change the terms and conditions of the MOU, as determined by the City Attorney’s Office.
BACKGROUND:
On November 13, 2012, the City Council, in response to rising concerns around unsheltered households with minor children, approved the establishment of the Homelessness Assistance Pilot Program (HAPP). The pilot program aimed to assist at-risk and homeless Anaheim families with a combination of supportive services and tenant- based rental assistance to quickly help such families regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis.
To facilitate the delivery of HAPP services, the City published a Request for Proposals (RFP) in July 2013 and selected The Illumination Foundation to administer the pilot program. In December of 2022, to ensure continued diligence towards contracting the most qualified provider, the City released a new RFP to solicit proposals for HAPP operators.
The RFP resulted in the selection of two non-profits to administer the program: 1) the original program operator, The Illumination Foundation, and 2) a new operator, Homeless Intervention Services of Orange County (HIS OC).
Policies and Procedures and Memorandum of Understanding for HAP-F August 26, 2025
To align with the results of the RFP solicitation, City staff updated the policies and procedures for the HAPP program to reflect changes to the program referral process, refine provider roles, and officially rename the program the Homeless Assistance Program for Families (HAP-F). These proposed changes to the program policies and procedures were approved by City Council on May 16, 2023.
Toward the end of FY 2024-2025, City staff were notified by The Illumination Foundation of a change in desired programming direction which made it difficult for the City to continue contracting The Illumination Foundation for HAP-F services. Additionally, after reviewing program budgets and performance, City staff also elected not to renew HIS OC’s subrecipient agreement in FY 2025- 2026. To ensure continued services for HAP-F families and avoid a return to homelessness, City staff procured a proposal from City Net, a trusted service provider with a history of serving families experiencing homelessness. City Net’s quote was compared to previous solicited HAP-F proposals and was found to be reasonable and fair.
The Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) has been a program partner since January 10, 2014, and serves as the central point of contact for referrals through McKinney-Vento Homeless liaisons. McKinney-Vento liaisons are designated school staff members responsible for ensuring youth experiencing homelessness and have access to appropriate resources including housing. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Coordinator for the District works collaboratively with other school liaisons in the City of Anaheim, including representatives from elementary, junior, and other high schools to assess households and designate priority for referral to HAP-F, necessary to execute and administer the MOU and the HAP-F program on behalf of the City.
DISCUSSION:
Modifications to HAP-F Policies and Procedures
HAP-F has historically been funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds. ESG funding supported case management and housing navigation, while HOME funding covered rental subsidies. Inclusion of ESG, however, necessitates the use of the region’s Coordinated Entry System for placement into tenant-based rental assistance programs such as HAP-F. Such use impedes local ability to facilitate referrals and expeditiously serve Anaheim households. City staff is recommending the use of HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) dollars to support supportive services and remove regulatory restrictions associated with ESG funding. The infusion of HOME-ARP in combination with HOME requires modifications to be made to program guidelines to meet federal regulations for HOME and HOME-ARP. Such modifications are detailed below.
1. Direct Referral System
The City of Anaheim Housing and Community Development Department may now provide direct referrals to the HAP-F program. This change aims to improve coordination and streamline the process of identifying eligible households for supportive services and rental assistance.
Policies and Procedures and Memorandum of Understanding for HAP-F August 26, 2025
2. Income Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for supportive services and rental assistance under HAP-F, applicant households must have Gross Annual Income at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The City’s official Gross Annual Income Calculator must be used to accurately determine income levels and verify eligibility. This ensures consistency and adherence to federal and local income guidelines.
3. Rent Reasonableness Verification
All rent reasonableness assessments must be conducted using the GoSection8.com database. This standardizes the process of evaluating rental rates to ensure they are fair and comparable to similar units in the area, preventing inflated rents and protecting program funds.
4. HOME Rental Assistance Briefing and Coupon
Prior to receiving housing navigation services, all eligible households are required to attend a HOME Rental Assistance Briefing. This briefing provides important information about the program requirements and tenant responsibilities. Following the briefing, households will be issued a HOME Rental Assistance Coupon, which authorizes their participation and access to rental assistance.
5. Supplemental Emergency Rental Assistance
In situations where households require additional rental assistance beyond what the HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program covers, service providers may connect them to other emergency rental assistance programs so long as no duplicate subsidies are provided, and that the tenant’s portion of rent remains at least 30% of their Gross Annual Income. This policy protects program integrity and promotes sustainable housing stability.
6. Client Exit and Documentation Requirements
When clients exit the HAP-F, service providers must submit a Letter of Exit to the City. This document should briefly explain the reason for the client’s exit and outline any exit strategies or future housing plans. This requirement facilitates effective program tracking and helps the City monitor outcomes for program participants.
Additionally, with the expansion of the Homeless Initiatives team within Housing and Community Development, City staff have increased contact with community outreach teams, Homeless Assessment Liaison Officers (HALO), and other community partners serving homeless families. To create a pipeline for those households into HAP-F, City staff are proposing a change to the policies and procedures referral process.
Memorandum of Understanding with AUHSD
AUHSD remains a valued program partner in the administration of HAP-F given their unique exposure to youth experiencing homelessness and the breadth of their network. This MOU serves to formalize a collaborative partnership and set forth the respective responsibilities of the city and the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) in relation to their joint participation in the HAP-F program. It further defines the target population to be served, outlines the eligibility criteria for participation, details the types of assistance to be provided, and identifies the anticipated outcomes.
Policies and Procedures and Memorandum of Understanding for HAP-F August 26, 2025
Moreover, the MOU establishes a formalized procedure for resolving disputes between the City and AUHSD.
The MOU designates AUHSD as the primary liaison responsible for coordinating referrals to the HAP-F program. AUHSD shall provide consultative input to the City of Anaheim concerning the development and implementation of processes required to facilitate effective referral coordination.
Parallelly, the city is tasked with facilitating the overall implementation of the HAP-F program in partnership with AUHSD. This responsibility includes ensuring effective communication to guarantee that families referred by the AUHSD McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison are promptly assessed and appropriately prioritized for services. The City shall provide technical guidance and relevant information to AUHSD personnel as necessary.
On August 20, 2025, the Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) voted to recommend that the City Council approve the updated HAP-F policies and procedures and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Anaheim and AUHSD.
These requests directly support the City’s Strategic Plan Goal B: Enhance Livability, Strategy 2:
Develop strategies to stabilize and expand affordable, workforce, and home ownership housing options for low-income residents, and Strategy 9: Maintain and expand services to address homelessness and its impacts.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There is no budgetary impact since the updated HAP-F policies and procedures and MOU with AUHSD do not reflect any monetary commitments.
Respectfully submitted,
Grace Ruiz-Stepter
Housing and Community Development Director
Attachments:
1. Updated Homeless Assistance Program for Families Policies and Procedures
2. Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Anaheim and the Anaheim Union High School District