1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: May 20, 2025
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Patrick Prescott, Community Development Department Director BY: Simone McFarland, Assistant Director Community Development
SUBJECT: Approval to Appropriate $410,457 from Redevelopment Agency Loan Repayment Funds and $280,073 from Measure H Homeless Solutions Grant Funds to the 211, 233, & 333 S. Front Street, 10 E. Verdugo Avenue (Homeless Solutions Center) Project
RECOMMENDATION
1. Appropriate $410,457 from Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Loan Repayment Reserve to the Homeless Solutions Center Capital Improvement Account No. 370.CD25A.70019.24970.
2. Appropriate $280,073 from Measure H Homeless Solutions Grant Fund to the Homeless Solutions Center Capital Improvement Account No. 370.CD25A.70019.24970.
BACKGROUND
In December 2022, the City’s Five-Year (2022- 2027) Homelessness Plan (Plan) was approved by City Council. The Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to address homelessness in the community and includes a goal to create interim housing that would include shelters and/or transitional housing. As a result, the Homeless Solutions Center Project (Project) was created, which encompasses 211, 233, and 333 S. Front Street, 10 E. Verdugo Avenue, and a portion of the adjacent downtown Burbank Metrolink Parking Lot.
On April 9, 2024, Council adopted R esolution No. 24-29,510, declaring a Shelter Crisis pursuant to SB 850 (Chapter 48, statues of the 2018 and Government Codes § 8698.1,
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
2 § 8698.2, and § 8698.4) to the Los Angeles Continuum of Care. This Resolution allows for the expedited development of the Homeless Solutions Center.
DISCUSSION
Staff continues to work on developing the Homeless Solutions Center in conjunction with Kadre Architects (Kadre). Kadre has completed the architectural and engineering plans , focusing on the proposed design, layout, and aesthetics of the center, as well as the technical and structural aspects . These plans are currently engaged in the plan check process. Additionally, by September 2025, the environmental documents will be completed. To complete these efforts, staff requests the following appropriations into the capital project account:
• $410,457 from Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Loan Repayment Reserve to the project; and
• $280,073 from a Measure H Homeless Solutions Grant.
Staff is currently researching additional funding sources to supplement the needs of the Project. Once additional funding is identified, staff will return to Council to request appropriation of those funds and provide a project update.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Staff will conduct two community meetings (one virtual and one in-person) that will include robust engagement with the community through collaboration with the Public Information Office and the City’s Planning Division. The community meetings will occur prior to Council’s final approval of the project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The report to Council for continuation of work toward the development of a Homeless Solutions Center at 211, 233, and 333 S. Front Street, 10 E. Verdugo Avenue is statutorily exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), because it is a feasibility study for possible future actions that have not yet been adopted or approved by Council (CEQA Guidelines, § 15262). In addition, this project would be exempt from CEQA Guidelines, § 15269 as it is an emergency project that requires specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. Lastly, Government Code § 8698.4(a)(4) specifically states that CEQA shall not apply to actions tak en by a city to lease, convey , or encumber land, or provide financial ass istance to, a homeless shelter constructed or allowed under Government Code § 8698.4. However, if the Project is approved by Council, it would be subject to an environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as required pursuant to the use of federal funding.
3 FISCAL IMPACT
Staff is requesting Council authority to appropriate $410,457 from Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Loan Repayment Reserve account number 001.ND000.30015.1008 (General Fund, Non-Departmental, Budgetary Reserve, RDA Loan Repayments) to the Homeless Solutions Cent er capital improvement account number 370.CD25A.70019.0000.24970.00000 (General City Capital Projects, Grants, Building Improvements, Homeless Solutions Center), and to appropriate $280,073 from Measure H Homeless Solutions Grant Fund account number 001.ND 000.48010.1142 (General Fund, Non-Departmental, Other Intergovernmental Revenues) to the Homeless Solutions Center capital improvement account number 370.CD25A.70019.0000.24970.00000 (General City Capital Projects, Grants, Building Improvements, Homeless S olutions Center).
CONCLUSION
The City is continuing to advance development of the Homeless Solutions Center in an effort to support individuals experiencing homelessness. A comprehensive report on the status of the project will be brought to the Council at a future date. Staff in the Community Development Department are continually researching and identifying potential funding sources for the project. As funding is secured, staff will seek Council’s approval to appropriate funds into a capital account that will facilitate the continued development of the Homeless Solutions Center.
ATTACHMENTS
None.