Fremont City Council Meeting: 01/07/25 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Human Services Department Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 5344) DOC ID: 5344
Updated: 1/2/2025 12:14 PM by Dina Lewis Page 1
ACCESS POINT AND HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER SERVICE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT - Authorize the City Manager, or her 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: Alina Kwak Arquimides Caldera
Title: Family Resource Center
Administrator
Human Services Director
Div/Dept: Human Services Department Human Services Department Phone: 510-574-2004 510-574-2056
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 an existing 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 $20,000 in the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Fund to reflect the additional contracted revenue.
BACKGROUND: In 2017, as mandated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Alameda County (County) began implementing the Coordinated Entry System (CES). The purpose of this 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, through 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 2024, as of the date of this report, the FRC has enrolled 200 new households in coordinated entry and has completed 159 crisis assessments and 238 housing needs assessments. Staff augments 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 also provides benefits advocacy, information on eviction and preserving housing, and re-entry support.
Council Staff Report (ID # 5344) Meeting of January 7, 2025 Updated: 1/2/2025 12:14 PM by Dina Lewis Page 2
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: Alameda County has requested the City continue to provide Access Point services and has proposed a one-year amendment to the current agreement (January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025), in an amount not to exceed $177,082.
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 and 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 $197,082 in expenses in FY 2024/25, including unspent Calendar Year 2024 contract funding. In anticipation of this program, the City Council appropriated $177,082 as part of the FY 2024/25 Adopted Operating Budget. Staff requests the City Council appropriate an additional $20,000 in the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Fund (Fund 179) to equal the anticipated expenses for this program through June 30, 2025. FY 2025/26 expenses will be appropriated as part of the FY 2025/26 budget adoption process.
Additional FY 24/25 Appropriation Request
Description Amount
Total FY 24/25 Anticipated Expenses in Fund 179: $ 197,082 Current FY 2024/25 Appropriation in Fund 179: -177,082
Additional FY 2024/25 Appropriation Requested in Fund 179: $ 20,000
The proposed amendment will not impact the City’s General Fund, as the current agreement and proposed amendment with the County 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) because it is not a “project” within the meaning of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(2),(5) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that this activity will have a significant effect on the environment and the award is an administrative activity that will not result in an effect on the physical environment.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
RECOMMENDATION:
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.
2. Increase revenue estimates and appropriate an additional $20,000 for these services in the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Fund (Fund 179).
Council Staff Report (ID # 5344) Meeting of January 7, 2025 Updated: 1/2/2025 12:14 PM by Dina Lewis Page 3
3. Find that these actions are exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15183 (projects consistent with the general plan or zoning) and/or because it is not a “project” within the meaning of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(2),(5) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that this activity will have a significant effect on the environment and the award is an administrative activity that will not result in an effect on the physical environment.