Agenda Item No: K.2
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: March 18, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2025-40 CM Emergency Solutions Grant Application
Approving an Application for Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and Any Amendments Thereto from the 2024-2027 Funding Years of the State Emergency Solutions Grant Program
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: April Cobb, (707) 428-7609
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The California Department of Housing and Community Development announced the availability of approximately $39 million in federal funds for the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program, of which approximately $12 million is available for each year from fisc al year 2024 -2027. ESG funding is awarded to eligible applicants recommended by the local Continuums of Care and may be used for five program components: Street Outreach, Emergency Shelter, Homelessness Prevention, Rapid Rehousing, and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). The Homeless Services Division will be submitting an application to the Housing First Solano Continuum of Care on March 7, 2025, and an ESG application will be submitted pending approval of local competition. The Homeless Service s Division is seeking City Council approval to submit an application for (ESG) for street outreach funding.
DISCUSSION
On September 30, 2024, the City of Fairfield Homeless Services Division (HSD), in partnership with the Fairfield Police Department and t he Housing Services Department, released a Request for Proposals for Unsheltered Outreach and Tenancy Support Services.
On October 23, 2024, HSD received four applications for Unsheltered Street Outreach Services and two applications for Tenancy Support Services. On November 12, 2024, a Rank and Review Panel, consisting of HSD, the Fairfield Police Department Homeless Intervention Team (HIT) Housing Services Department, the Fairfield Fire Department, the Public Works Homeless Engagement and Response Team (HEART), Community Development and an individual with lived experience in the City of Fairfield met by Zoom. The Panel independently reviewed and scored all applications following the scoring criteria as outlined in the Request for Proposal (RFP) prior to the meeting. After meeting to discuss the applications, the Panel recommended funding Caminar for Tenancy Support Services. Caminar and CANB were ranked as the top two candidates for Unsheltered Street Outreach. The Panel recommended an in -person interview with the two agencies for Unsheltered Street Outreach Services, requesting a modified budget and asking clarifying questions.
On November 14, 2024, the Rank and Review Panel conducted an in -person interview with the top two candidates (Caminar and CANB) for outreach services, consisting of HSD, HIT, and the Housing Services Department to request modified budgets and ask clarifying questions regarding proposals. After the interviews, a rescore of the top two candidates was completed with Staff recommending Change and New Beginnings for Unsheltered Street Outreach Services.
On December 3, 2024, HSD Staff, along with staff from CANB and Caminar, gave a presentation to the council. After presentations, staff asked council to discuss and provide direction. The council directed staff to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Change and New Beginnings for Unsheltered Street Outreach and Caminar for Tenancy Support Services.
The Street Outreach Team plays an important, on -the-ground role in connecting v ulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness to vital community resources and services. The Outreach Team consists of two full-time employees, an outreach worker and a housing navigator, focused on assisting unsheltered unhoused individuals in the City of Fairfield. If the local application is accepted and ESG funds are awarded, the funds would be used to expand to continue street outreach efforts when RFP funding has been expended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact currently as the execution o f this agreement is a requirement of the grant application. Funding has not been awarded yet.
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
The council may choose not to adopt this resolution. However, this is not recommended, as thi s resolution aligns with the City’s efforts to increase opportunities to transition individuals into permanent, stable housing.
COORDINATED WITH
N/A
STAFF CONTACT
April Cobb, Management Analyst
(707) 428-7609
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution/Ordinance