Fremont City Council Meeting: 12/12/23 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Human Services Department Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5002) DOC ID: 5002
Updated: 12/5/2023 4:21 PM 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; and Appropriate additional funds.
Contact Persons:
Name: Arquimides Caldera Suzanne Shenfil
Title: Deputy Director of Human Services Director
Div/Dept: Human Services Department Human Services Department Phone: 510-574-2056 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 $177,082 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 by $36,611 in the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Fund to reflect the additional contracted revenue.
BACKGROUND: In 2017, in accordance with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) mandate, Alameda County began implementing 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.
Since January 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.
In 2023, as of the date of this report, the FRC has enrolled 286 new households in coordinated entry, completed 135 crisis assessments and completed 154 housing needs assessments. Staff has augmented Access Point services by partnering with local service agencies during drop-in hours, including Ohlone Career Center, which offers resume support, referrals to job placement opportunities, and appointments for future career and employment coaching. Bay Area Legal Aid provides benefits advocacy, information on eviction and preserving housing, and re-entry support.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: Alameda County has requested the City continue to provide access point services and has proposed a one-year amendment (January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024), in an amount not to exceed $177,082.
Council Staff Report (ID # 5002) Meeting of December 12, 2023 Updated: 12/5/2023 4:21 PM by Susan Gauthier Page 2
Under this amendment, the City is required to continue to provide housing problem solving services, crisis assessments, and permanent housing assessments, to eligible callers. The City provides a dedicated phone line for those seeking services. Drop–in Housing Resource Center hours will continue weekly. City Staff participate in 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: Staff anticipates $213,693 in expenses in FY 2023/24, including unspent Calendar Year 2023 contract funding. In anticipation of this program, the City Council appropriated $177,082 as part of the FY 2023/24 Adopted Operating Budget. Staff requests the City Council appropriate an additional $36,611 in the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Fund (Fund 179) to equal the anticipated expenses for this program through June 30, 2024. FY 2024/25 expenses will be appropriated as part of the FY 2024/25 budget adoption process.
Additional FY 23/24 Appropriation Request
Description Amount
Total FY 23/24 Anticipated Expenses in Fund 179: $ 213,693 Current FY 2023/24 Appropriation in Fund 179: -177,082
Additional FY 2023/24 Appropriation Requested in Fund 179: $ 36,611
There is no impact to the General Fund. The agreement and proposed amendment will cover staff time and administrative overhead costs 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 Standard Service Agreement Amendment of $177,082 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 $36,611 for these services in the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Fund (Fund 179).