REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jason Simpson, City Manager
Prepared by: Jason Simpson, City Manager
Date: December 12, 2023
Subject: Acceptance of the Fellowship Grant from Stanford Impact Labs Recommendation
Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Stanford Impact Labs for a fellowship grant in the amount of $50,000 to the City of Lake Elsinore for a project entitled Evidence for Policy Fellowship in such final form as approved by the City Attorney.
Background
In recent years, homelessness has become one of the most urgent and significant issues facing California. Since the creation of the City’s first Homeless Task Force in 2017, Lake Elsinore has made significant strides to house our most vulnerable residents while seeking effective methods of reducing our homeless population.
As part of the City’s efforts to reach functional zero, the City contracted with the Social Work Action Group (SWAG) – the City’s nonprofit partner – to conduct street outreach, provide housing navigation, and offer case management services to chronic homeless individuals.
In order to continue this proactive approach including zero tolerance policies on crime, in July of 2020, the City purchased a 19-room dilapidated motel located at 215 W. Graham Ave.to create the City’s first crisis stabilization housing facility – The Anchor. The property was purchased and renovated using a $3.1 million Project Homekey grant awarded from the State of California in September 2020. This funding included $336,000 in operating subsidies for The Anchor for ongoing operations, supportive services and maintenance costs associated with the facility through June 30, 2022.
On December 2, 2020, the City of Lake Elsinore was awarded $256,680 from the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP) by the County of Riverside Continuum of Care for operating subsidy funding from July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024.
Stanford Impact Labs Grant
The Anchor opened on December 30, 2020 to provide 14 crisis stabilization housing units with up to 20 beds for chronic homeless individuals. The Anchor is a critical piece of the City’s efforts to address homelessness.
As part of the federal appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2024 the City was awarded three million from Congressmen Calvert. Staff continues to seek all applicable grant funding available to assist in funding its homeless efforts.
Discussion
City staff applied for a fellowship with Stanford Impact Labs to use data to shape future homeless programs. The fellowship project that was submitted to the university is: Understanding the impact and relative effectiveness of current homelessness services in the city. Combining that understanding with an analysis of best practice for homelessness services will allow staff to recommend future approaches to homelessness reduction in the City of Lake Elsinore. The fellowship will allow staff to learn from Stanford faculty on data analysis and help to draft a strategic plan for homeless services. The fellowship includes a $50,000 grant to the City to help develop the fellowship project.
Fiscal Impact
The City will receive $50,000 toward the development of future homeless programs. These funds are budgeted in the FY 23/24 Operating Budget.
Attachments
Attachment 1- Award Letter
Attachment 2 - Agreement with Stanford Impact Labs
Attachment 3 - Fellowship Announcement