Fremont City Council Meeting: 01/11/22 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Human Services Department Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
STAFF REPORT (ID # 4524) DOC ID: 4524
Updated: 1/6/2022 10:57 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 1
ACCESS POINT AND HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER SERVICE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT - Authorize the City Manager or their Designee to Enter into an Amendment with the County of Alameda, for the City to Provide Access Point and Housing Resource Center Services, in the Amount of $112,811.
Contact Persons:
Name: Laurie Flores Suzanne Shenfil
Title: Homeless Services Manager Director
Div/Dept: Human Services Department Human Services Department Phone: 510-574-2040 510-574-2051
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The purpose of this staff report is to request the City Council approve a $112,811 amendment to the service agreement with the County of Alameda for the provision of Access Point and Housing Resource Center Services for those at risk of, or currently experiencing, homelessness; and to increase appropriations to reflect the additional contracted revenue.
BACKGROUND: In 2017, in accordance with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) mandate, Alameda County rolled out the Coordinated Entry System (CES). The purpose of the system was to coordinate homeless services throughout the County and streamline prioritization for programs and permanent supportive housing units.
The City’s Human Services Department has participated in CES by providing housing needs assessments, outreach, documentation and housing application support, as well as referrals to appropriate partner agencies. From 2018 through 2020, Abode Services was designated as a regional Housing Resource Center and subcontracted with the City, via the Human Services Department’s Fremont Family Resource Center (FRC), to provide housing needs assessments and drop-in services. The FRC also contracts with Eden Information and Referral to receive warm transfers from callers seeking assessments and referrals.
As of January 1, 2021, the Alameda County Health Care Service Agency’s (ACHCSA) Office of Homeless Care and Coordination (OHCC) has contracted directly with the City, establishing the FRC as an Access Point and Housing Resource Center. City staff have continued to provide Access Point services throughout the pandemic and 2021 calendar year. In 2021, the FRC conducted 108 crisis resource and housing needs assessments for 89 unique households. The agreement, valued at $117,800, ended December 31, 2021.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: Alameda County has requested the City continue to provide access point services and has proposed a one-year amendment (January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022), in an amount not to exceed $112,811. Under this amendment, the City is required to continue to provide housing problem solving services, crisis assessments, and permanent housing assessments, to eligible callers. A dedicated phone line is provided for those seeking services, and once offices can reopen in accordance with Public Health guidelines, the FRC will serve as a physical location for drop-in services. Field services and outreach can be arranged in partnership with the Bay Area Community Services (BACS) Wellness Center and CleanStart mobile hygiene service sites. City Staff participate in Staff Report (ID # 4524) Meeting of January 11, 2022
Updated: 1/6/2022 10:57 AM by Susan Gauthier Page 2
monthly regional collaboration meetings with local service providers to engage in case consultations for individuals targeted for permanent supportive housing opportunities, discuss new programs, and strategize or troubleshoot around barriers for individuals not yet targeted for services.
FISCAL IMPACT: In anticipation of this program, the City Council appropriated $105,189 as part of the FY 2021/22 Adopted Budget. With the proposed amendment, staff now anticipates expending a total of $160,298 in FY 2021/22 to provide the services described above. Accordingly, staff requests the City Council appropriate an additional $55,109 in the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Fund (Fund 179) to equal the anticipated expenses for this program through June 30, 2022. FY 2022/23 expenses will be appropriated as part of the FY 2022/23 budget adoption process.
Additional Appropriation Request
Description Amount
2022 ACHCSA Amendment - anticipated FY 2021/22 expenditures: 56,406 2021 ACHCSA Agreement - balance rolled over to FY 2021/22: 103,893 Total anticipated FY 2021/22 Expenditures: 160,298
Current FY 2021/22 Appropriation in Fund 179: 105,189
Additional FY 2021/22 Appropriation Requested in Fund 179: 55,109
There is no impact to the General Fund. The agreement and proposed amendment will cover staff time and administrative overhead associated with the program.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The acceptance of a grant from the County of Alameda to provide Access Point and Housing Resource Center services is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), each as a separate and independent basis, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15183 (projects consistent with the general plan or zoning) and/or 15061(b)(3), (the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment) and/or 15378(b)(administrative actions and/or government fiscal activities that do not involve a commitment to a specific project or otherwise result in a potentially significant effect on the environment).
ATTACHMENTS: None.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Authorize the City Manager or her designee to execute a FY 2021/22 Standard Service Agreement Amendment of $112,811 with the County of Alameda to provide Access Point and Housing Resource Center services and make findings of CEQA exemption discussed in this report.
2. Increase revenue estimates and appropriate an additional $55,109 for these services in the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Fund (Fund 179).