ITEM 7F
STAFF REPORT
Subject: Funding Agreements for the CV Housing First Program
Contact: Erica Felci, Assistant to the Executive Director ([email protected])
Recommendation: Authorize the Executive Director to negotiate and execute Memorandums of Understanding with member jurisdictions to secure multi-year funding commitments for the CV Housing First program
Homelessness Committee: CONCURS (Meeting of June 16th)
Background: In May 2021, at the recommendation of the CVAG Homelessness Committee, the CVAG Executive Committee authorized the Executive Director to negotiate and enter into no-cost memorandums of understanding (MOU) that allow CVAG staff to work with other providers on client services. Some of those partners include California State University, San Bernardino; Inland Counties Leg al Services Inc.; Inland Empire Health Plan; and Jewish Family Services of the Desert, who had formerly been the operator at Roy’s Desert Resource Center when CVAG operated an emergency overnight shelter program.
The MOU concept was unanimously supported, but it also prompted a discussion by the Homelessness Committee about entering into MOUs with member jurisdictions.
Since 2008, CVAG has funded its regional homelessness programs – first Roy’s Desert Resource Center, and then later programs that evolved into CV Housing First – by contributions from member jurisdictions. This process has involved CVAG staff sending a request to each city and tribe as well as the County of Riverside. Sometimes the jurisdictions approve the request as part of the annual budget; other times, it is done through a separate action. The current requests are for $100,000 a year.
After the homeless services at Roy’s Desert Resource Center closed in 2017, the Desert Healthcare District/Foundation became a significant funding partner . Its initial dollar -for-dollar matching program encouraged broad funding support for the program. The current agreement, which was approved in April 2021, means the District/ Foundation will be providing $500,000 for the program for the period of April 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. This agreement is slightly different than the previous dollar matching program that the District/ Foundation has previously done. However, it does come with a clause that CVAG needs to demonstrate a continued commitment of current funding levels from the CVAG member agencies.
Support for the CV Housing First program, and the transition to in -house operations, has been significant. The County of Riverside has been instrumental in helping CVAG secure additional funds and, for th e first time, the City of Indian Wells approved a financial contribution to the
program. Cities are also indicating continued support, including a vote by the City of Desert Hot Springs City Council to include the Housing First program in its two-year budget.
Two cities – Cathedral City and La Quinta – have authorized this year’s funds through MOUs that require CVAG to provide regular updates on the program’s progress. CVAG staff is now recommending the Executive Director be authorized to negotiate and execute MOUs with all its member jurisdictions to secure funding of $100,000 annually for a three-year period. This will ensure financial stability for the program, and avoid the uncertainty – and significant staff time – that comes with the traditional process of asking cities for funds each year.
Staff is recommending the MOUs have a three-year timeframe so that future Councils would have an opportunity to review the pr ogram and commitments as well. CVAG staff has consulted with Legal Counsel, who notes that there is no legal impediment to cities entering into a multi -year commitments. Additionally, the California Constitution debt limit only prohibits a multi -year contract where the funds to pay the full contract are not on hand, and that the amount of this proposed MOU does not appear large enough to create that concern.
Continuity in funding will ensure that the CV Housing First program continues to grow and evolve, making a significant impact in the community by addressing the chronically homeless individuals on the CV 200 list. While the initial data demonstrates the program’s success, staff notes that the Executive Committee’s authorization for the program was for 2021 and that the program will need the Executive Committee’s further approval to continue. This condition would be included in the MOUs, and allow for the funding to be redirected to any modified version of the CV Housing First program.
Fiscal Analysis: The CV Housing First program, including the staffing and program operations, is funded by contributions from cities, Riverside County, the Desert Healthcare District/Foundation, and grants. CVAG’s city and tribal member jurisdictions are each asked to contribute $100,000 a year for the operations.