ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 26, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Agreements TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jennifer M. Byers, Economic and Community Development Director DATE: March 11, 2025
SUBJECT: Agreement with Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) ($500,000) in Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention
Round-4 funds to complete predevelopment related to the former Ramkabir Motel at 901 Union Avenue. (Ward2)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the agreement.
BACKGROUND:
On July 19, 2021, the Governor and Legislature approved Assembly Bill 140 which provided Round 4 funding to local governments under the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program Round 4 (HHAP-4). A priority of the HHAP-4 Action Plan includes a set aside for the construction of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. The City of Bakersfield’s allocation of HHAP-4 funds was $4,283,319.84.
On April 24, 2024, the City of Bakersfield purchased property at 901 Union Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93305, (Ramkabir Motel). The goal of the acquisition was to convert the property into Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) when funding resources became available.
The property includes 37 units and one large rental office/manager’s office, which are proposed to be converted to approximately 30 units of PSH and a community kitchen, multipurpose room, two office spaces, guard office, storage, conference room, and laundry facilities.
The Homekey+ program is a statewide initiative aimed at developing PSH for veterans and individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders who are at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness. The Homekey+ competitive grant is administered through the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and $2.145 billion is available statewide for the program.
In partnership with CAPK, the City of Bakersfield is applying for Homekey+ funding. It should be noted IF the City receives such funding, it will be recommended that such funds be used to provide services and further rehabilitate the Ramkabir.
Due to the strict timing requirements of the Homekey+ program, staff recommends Council approve the Agreement with Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) an amount not to exceed $500,000 to complete the predevelopment work for the construction of the new PSH units. This action will assist the City in meeting its HHAP-4 priority of expanding PSH units. This agreement has a term of one year ending February 28, 2026. If awarded a Homekey+ grant, construction would be anticipated to start on the Ramkabir PSH Project in Summer 2025. If the City is not awarded a Homekey+ grant, staff would continue to seek other resources such as the anticipated Encampment Resolution Fund. All potentially eligible grant programs include points for projects that have completed the predevelopment plan and this agreement would prepare the city to be more competitive for grant resources.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact to the General Fund.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Safety and Resilience
ATTACHMENT:
Agreement