201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Tenth Floor
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-4300
Fax: (714) 765-4360
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
DATE: DECEMBER 9, 2025
FROM: HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT FOR THE
ANAHEIM FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM WITH ORANGE COUNTY
FAIR HOUSING COUNCIL
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 13
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Subrecipient Agreement with Orange County Fair Housing Council, in substantial form, to implement the Anaheim Fair Housing Program and offer fair housing services in the amount of $135,000 for an initial 18-month term from January 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 with three additional one-year options for a total maximum compensation amount not to exceed $405,000: authorize the Housing & Community Development Director, or her designee, to execute all agreements, attachments, and other documents necessary to implement and administer the program on behalf of the City, provided that the maximum compensation authority is not increased; and authorize de minimis changes that do not substantially change the terms and conditions of the agreements, so long as the changes are determined to be de minimis by the City Attorney’s Office.
BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awards grants to entitlement communities to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, addressing affordable housing needs, economic development, and improvement of community facilities and services.
The City of Anaheim is an entitlement community and receives funds from four different HUD grant programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. An ongoing obligation to receive HUD funds is a strong commitment to promote fair housing and administering programs and activities aligned with the Fair Housing Act.
To fulfill this obligation for federal compliance, the City allocates CDBG funds to offer the Anaheim Fair Housing Program. This program includes education, outreach, testing, and referral services related to compliance with federal and state fair housing and tenant protection laws. To ensure Anaheim residents are fully informed of their rights and protections under the law, this program has historically been administered by an organization with expertise in fair housing services and practices.
Approval of Subrecipient Agreement for the Anaheim Fair Housing Program with Orange County Fair Housing Council December 9, 2025
To procure fair housing services, a Request for Proposals (RFP) is periodically issued, generally concurrent with the implementation of a new HUD Five-Year Consolidated Plan. The City’s current five-year plan covers the period of fiscal years 2025 through 2029. Presently, the City is contracted with Orange County Fair Housing Council (OCFHC) for services until the end of December 2025. In September 2025, in anticipation of the expiring fair housing services contract with OCFHC, staff released an RFP requesting proposals from qualified organizations for the development, implementation, and administration of the City of Anaheim Fair Housing Program. RFP responses were to include a description of proposed services; performance measurements and timelines; organization capacity to render services; proposed leveraged partnerships; and project budget and budget narratives. It was also requested that each proposal include information beyond federal fair housing education such as addressing rent stabilization, just-cause eviction, tenant discrimination, harassment, and other services as it relates to tenant protection laws. Proposals were received from the Orange County Fair Housing Council (OCFHC) and Fair Housing Foundation (FHF).
SELECTION PROCESS
A committee comprised of Housing & Community Development Department staff was formed to review and select the most-qualified organization based on set evaluation criteria. Each proposal was evaluated for program knowledge and systems delivery, fiscal management, community knowledge, cost, and responsiveness. Staff also evaluated each agency’s responsiveness to housing dispute resolution services. These services include providing housing discrimination counseling, mediation assistance, or referral services to Anaheim landlords and tenants, and answers to questions about unlawful detainer actions, just-cause evictions, rent stabilization, and other housing-related inquiries.
This evaluation included higher scores for any partnerships with low-cost/pro bono legal clinics or organizations. This service was specifically noted by staff due to an increase in the number of just- cause evictions arising in the community within the past two years, prompting increased demand for landlord-tenant housing dispute resolution services. Both proposals were thoroughly reviewed to determine their responsiveness to the RFP and the agency’s resources and experience in serving the Anaheim community.
Both responses were comparable in their service offerings, outlining activities that are consistent with traditional fair housing programs. However, in review of each agency’s level of service and proposed outcomes, there were some notable differences outlined in the table below.
Approval of Subrecipient Agreement for the Anaheim Fair Housing Program with Orange County Fair Housing Council December 9, 2025
201 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Tenth Floor
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-4300
Fax: (714) 765-4360
www.anaheim.net
Service Category OCFHC
Proposed Annual Outcome
FHF
Proposed Annual Outcome
Number of Anaheim
households served
(unduplicated)
1,750 Households 1,072 Households
Number of Intake
Allegations/Inquiries
Regarding Housing
Discrimination
90 Inquiries 60 Inquiries
Number of Opened Cases –
Allegations/Inquiries
Advanced to Investigation
and Potential Enforcement
Action
25 Cases 20 Cases
Number of Tenant and
Landlord Workshops Held 15 Workshops 10 Workshops
Community Outreach and
Education Events
Participate in
6 Pre-Announced Events for
Community Outreach and Education
Held at Anaheim or regional Facilities
Participate in 24 Mobile Family
Resource Centers events as scheduled
by Neighborhood Services
Host 4 Walk-In Clinics for
Community Outreach and
Education Held at Anaheim
Facilities
Literature Distributed 7,500 Pieces 14,000 Pieces
When comparing both proposals, OCFHC demonstrates a stronger commitment to service delivery. Their proposal includes serving more unduplicated Anaheim households and participating in or hosting more workshops and community events—efforts that directly support residents and City staff. OCFHC also outlined a more comprehensive approach to follow-up on inquiries, which may lead to additional counseling or formal investigation. As a result, they are prepared to manage a higher number of opened cases after evaluation, including those requiring investigation, mediation, or legal representation.
In contrast, while FHF proposed a higher volume of literature distribution, their projected outcomes were lower across all other service categories.
In reviewing the budget for each proposal, each agency budgeted to the total specified allocation of $90,000 per fiscal year. However, OCFHC’s proposed budget showed a higher percentage of funds toward direct fair housing services in comparison to FHF’s proposed budget.
Each proposal was evaluated with a maximum score of 115 per evaluation, with a combined maximum of 345 points across three panelists. The final evaluation score for OCFHC’s proposal was 263 points, while FHF scored a total of 248 points.
Approval of Subrecipient Agreement for the Anaheim Fair Housing Program with Orange County Fair Housing Council December 9, 2025
As a result of this evaluation, staff recommends entering into a subrecipient agreement with OCFHC for implementation of the Anaheim Fair Housing Program. The proposed agreement includes three additional one-year options, for $90,000 annually, to ensure fair housing services are available to Anaheim residents and landlords through the remainder of the City’s Consolidated Plan period.
On November 19, 2025, the Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) voted to recommend the City Council approve the recommendation to enter into a CDBG subrecipient agreement with the Orange County Fair Housing Council in substantial form and authorize the Housing & Community Development Director, or her designee, to execute all documents necessary to implement and administer the Anaheim Fair Housing program on behalf of the City.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The City of Anaheim Fair Housing Program is anticipated to be fully funded by HUD grants and is included in the Housing and Community Development Department’s FY 2025-2026 budget and FY 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan previously authorized by City Council. In the event grant funds are reduced or eliminated, the Annual Action Plan would be amended to only support activities that are fully funded by available grant allocations.
Respectfully submitted,
Grace Ruiz-Stepter
Housing and Community Development Director
Attachment:
1. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Subrecipient Agreement with Orange County Fair Housing Council