REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From:Jason Simpson, City Manager
Prepared by:Shannon Buckley, Assistant City Manager
Date:June 24, 2025
Subject:Agreement with City Net for Street Outreach Services Recommendation
Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with City Net for Street Outreach Services in an annual amount not to exceed $291,181 in such final form as approved by the City Attorney and authorize the City Manager to execute change orders not exceeding a 10% contingency of $29,118.10 for uncertainties and adjustments.
Background
Since launching our Homeless Task Force in 2017, the City has remained committed to a strategic, coordinated, and compassionate approach to addressing chronic homelessness while improving the quality of life for all residents.
The Homeless Task Force, composed of City staff, law enforcement, service providers, and community partners, meets monthly to assess progress, review up-to-date data, and refine strategies based on real-time challenges and opportunities. This ongoing collaboration ensures alignment across agencies and fosters a unified response to a complex issue.
In the field, City staff conduct weekly quality-of-life outreach efforts, directly engaging with unsheltered individuals and offering immediate access to vital services, resources, and referrals.
These consistent touchpoints are critical to building trust, encouraging compliance, and creating pathways toward permanent housing.
At the operational level, the City continues to implement its proven “trifecta” approach—an integrated model that brings together the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RSO), Code Enforcement, and the City’s contracted homeless services provider. This approach ensures a balanced focus on public safety, community standards, and compassionate care.
City Net Street Outreach Agreement
A cornerstone of these efforts is The Anchor, a 16-bed crisis stabilization housing facility designed to serve Lake Elsinore’s most vulnerable chronically homeless individuals. The Anchor offers temporary shelter, intensive case management, and wraparound services, creating a structured environment where individuals can stabilize, reconnect with support systems, and transition toward long-term housing solutions.
Discussion
On May 14, the City was notified that its current homeless services provider, Social Work Action Group (SWAG), will not be renewing its contract. SWAG cited a strategic shift in focus toward "field-based, same-day interventions targeting substance abuse and mental health connections." The City is grateful to SWAG for its years of dedicated service to Lake Elsinore residents.
Following this announcement, City staff immediately engaged with Riverside County and nearby Cities to explore alternative service providers. In March 2025, the City of Murrieta conducted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for homeless services, receiving two submissions. Lake Elsinore staff participated in the review process, and Murrieta ultimately awarded the contract to City Net.
Founded in Long Beach in 2003, City Net specializes in streamlining homeless services by coordinating efforts among cities and nonprofit organizations. Their approach is built on shared goals, data-driven strategies, and measurable outcomes. City Net currently holds contracts across California, including in Riverside County, and offers services such as coordinated street outreach, case management, and housing navigation.
Through collaboration with the County of Riverside and neighboring jurisdictions, the City secured partial funding for its street outreach efforts via the County-administered Encampment Resolution Grant (ERG). This funding currently supports outreach activities along the Murrieta Creek Trail corridor, including portions that run through Lake Elsinore along Lakeshore Drive to Riverside Drive and adjacent areas.
It is recommended that the City Council approve an agreement with City Net to provide Street Outreach Services for Fiscal Year 2025–26, in an amount not to exceed $291,181. Under this agreement, City Net will serve all areas of the City not currently covered under the Encampment Resolution Grant.
Fiscal Impact
Funds are available in the City’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 Annual Operating Budget Attachments
Attachment 1 - Agreement
Exhibit A – Scope of Work
City Manager's Office