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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Approval of the Proposed Sub-recipient Funding Awards for the Emergency Solutions Grant-Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (ESG-RUSH) Program.
1. Motion to approve the Emergency Solutions Grant, Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (ESG-RUSH) Program proposed Sub-recipient funding awards, as recommended by the Continuum of Care (CoC) Board, and authorize the City Manager or a designee to execute all agreements, certifications, and documents necessary to accept and implement the funding.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Calendar
Approved for April 29, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On February 3, 2025, the City of Glendale was awarded $409,957 from the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) Program. These funds, distributed under the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program, are designated to support emergency shelter operations, rental assistance, relocation, and supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, including those displaced by recent wildfires.
The City has executed an agreement with HUD and completed a substantial amendment to the 2024 Annual Action Plan to include the ESG-RUSH funds allocation, as required by HUD. In addition, the CoC Board has reviewed proposals and made funding recommendations for three local service providers to deliver ongoing Rapid Re-housing, Homeless Prevention, and Homeless Outreach Services under the CoC with the use of ESG-RUSH funds.
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RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council pass a motion to approve the ESG-RUSH sub-recipient funding awards, and authorize the City Manager to execute all agreements, certifications, and documents necessary to accept and implement the funding.
ANALYSIS
The City was awarded $409,957 in ESG-RUSH funds from HUD as part of a federal initiative designed to provide immediate relief to individuals and families displaced by recent wildfires. These funds, distributed under the ESG, will support emergency shelter operations, rental assistance, relocation, and supportive services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Below is a breakdown of the one-time initial allocation for ESG-RUSH funds for the state, county, and cities impacted.
State/County/Cities Allocation
State of California $3,000,000
Long Angeles County $1,000,000
City of Los Angeles $1,000,000
Pomona $1,000,000
Long Beach $1,000,000
City of Glendale $409,957
Grand Total $7,409,657
The agreement between the City and HUD was executed on February 6, 2025, and a substantial amendment to the 2024 Annual Action Plan to include the ESG-RUSH funds was submitted on February 13, 2025. The amendment was made publicly available via the City’s Homeless Services website and through public posting as required by the Federal Register Notice (FR-6315-N-01).
FUNDING PRIORITIES
The CoC will utilize funds to develop local capacity to address immediate homelessness challenges by operating the following programs in alignment with the Glendale Homeless Action Plan (GHAP) funding priorities: Rapid Re-housing, Homeless Prevention, and Outreach services. City will retain $58,696 of ESG-RUSH funds (14%) for administrative and Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) support. Below is breakdown of each funding activity.
HOMELESS PREVENTION
Rental assistance programs, utility payments, and case management services to prevent households from becoming homeless.
RAPID RE-HOUSING
Financial assistance and supportive services to individuals and families to help them quickly transition back into permanent housing.
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OUTREACH SERVICES
Outreach and engagement to individuals experiencing homelessness and connection to services and housing opportunities.
The City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the FY 2025-2027 ESG grant to community agencies with a proposal deadline of January 10, 2025. After receiving one- time ESG-RUSH funding allocations, the City consulted with HUD and was approved to fund existing ESG applicants, streamlining the process and avoiding duplication of services. To ensure fairness, on February 3, 2025, the City notified ESG applicants of additional RUSH funding and requested updated funding plans and performance measures for CoC Board review and approval. Three (3) applicants submitted updated funding plans, which CoC staff reviewed for alignment with the City’s funding priorities in the GHAP. Staff also reviewed each agency’s financial audits and requested completion of a Pre-award Risk Assessment form (Exhibit 1) before the CoC Board Meeting.
On February 26, 2025, City staff worked with the CoC Board to review the three funding plans, interview agencies, and finalize funding recommendations for the ESG-RUSH funds. See list of agencies and proposed funding awarded below. (Exhibit 2) Organizations Budget Category Funding
Home Again Los Angeles Rapid Re-housing $208,121.50
YWCA of Glendale & Pasadena Rapid Re-housing $42,000
Ascencia Outreach $101,139.50
City of Glendale Administration $28,696
City of Glendale Homeless Management
Information System
$30,000
The following CoC Board members deliberated and made the funding recommendations:
•Lt. Alex Krikorian - Chair of CoC Board, Glendale Police Department •Jeffrey Brooks – Vice Chair of CoC Board, Glendale Fire Department •Melissa Younesian – Board Member, Verdugo Jobs Center
•Hagop Eulmessekian - Board Member, Glendale Unified School District ESG-RUSH funds must be expended by February 2, 2027. Following City Council approval, City staff will work with agencies to finalize ESG-RUSH sub-recipient agreements to begin providing services.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The targeted participants are those experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness in the City of Glendale including single adults, families, and individuals with disabilities, physical and mental health issues, substance use disorders and social service needs. Potential clients will be screened through the Glendale Outreach Program, Glendale Coordinated Entry Systems (CES). ESG-RUSH will provide funding for staff who will utilize best practices to engage and link individuals experiencing homelessness 4{{section.number}}c
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residing on the streets with housing and supportive services.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report. The ESG-RUSH funds and appropriation will be included in the Emergency Solutions Grant Fund as part of the FY 2025-26 budget process; therefore, no appropriations are requested at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4) as it creates a government funding mechanism or constitutes other government fiscal activities which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
The names and business addresses of the members of the board of directors, the chairperson, CEO, COO, CFO, Subcontractors and any person or entity with more than 10% interest in the company proposed for contract in this Agenda Item Report are attached in Exhibit 3, in accordance with the City Campaign Finance Ordinance No. 5744.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: Do not approve the proposed ESG-RUSH sub-recipient funding awards as recommended by the CoC Board, which will result in reduced homelessness services.
Alternative 2: The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Onnig Bulanikian, Director of Community Services & Parks Prepared by:
Arsine Isayan, Homeless Programs Manager
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1- Pre-Award Risk Assessment
Exhibit 2- ESG-RUSH Funding Recommendations
Exhibit 3- Campaign Disclosure