CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
February 28, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Benita DeFrank, Neighborhood Services Director SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF $100,000 IN CONTINUUM OF CARE - HOMELESS HOUSING, AND PREVENTION FUNDS FOR A PROBLEM SOLVING PROGRAM; AMENDING THE FY 2021-22 OPERATING BUDGET; AND, AMENDING THE VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA LOS ANGELES AGREEMENT TO OPERATE THE ACCESS CENTER AS THE HOPE FOR HOME SERVICES CENTER SITE OPERATOR RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-03 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF $100,000 IN CONTINUUM OF CARE - HOMELESS HOUSING, AND PREVENTION (COC-HHAP) FUNDS FOR A PROBLEM SOLVING PROGRAM; AMENDING THE FY 2021-22 OPERATING BUDGET BY INCREASING REVENUE ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATING $100,000; AWARD $200,000 IN EXISTING ESG FUNDS; AND AMEND THE AGREEMENT OF VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA LOS ANGELES (VOALA) BY AWARDING $300,000 TO OPERATE THE ACCESS CENTER AS THE HOPE FOR HOME SERVICES CENTER SITE OPERATOR Authorize the City Manager to execute all agreements and any other documentation requested for acceptance of the award, distribution of the funding and operation of the Hope for Home Access Center Program, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
For FY 2021-22, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) awarded $100,000 in COC-HHAP funds to operate a Problem Solving program at the Hope for Home Homeless Services Access Center for homeless adults. On March 1, 2021, City Council approved a resolution amending the Consolidated Plan, FY 2020-21 Annual Action Plan, and the FY 2020-21 City Operating Budget by reallocating CARES Act (COVID-19) funding Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG-CV) program funds. Unspent funds were carried over to the FY 2021-22 City Operating Budget, including the $200,000 that has been allocated to operate the Hope for Home Access Center. The intent of this funding is to provide day shelter, financial resources for direct operations and administrative costs associated with providing homeless prevention and diversion resources at the Hope for Home Services Center.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Adoption of Resolution 2022-03 (Attachment No. 1) will accept one grant award from LAHSA, receiving a total of $100,000 in COC-HHAP funds by amending the FY 2021-22 Operating Budget by increasing revenue estimates to (215-1791-40875-58725) and appropriating $100,000 to (215-1791-52285-58725) and award to VOALA, an amount not to exceed $100,000 (215-1791-52285-58725) from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 and $200,000 from existing ESG-CV funds (193-1791-52285-63227) from January 1, 2022, through September 30, 2022.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION: On January 7, 2017 the City Council adopted “A Way Home: Community Solutions for Pomona’s Homeless” which included Strategy B1 - Establish a Service Center for Centralization and Coordination of Services. On July 17, 2017, City Council approved an award of contract to VOALA as the selected Hope for Home Services Center Site Operator for an initial 5-year period, identifying them as a sole source recipient of future funds identified to operate Hope for Home and its programs. On March 1, 2021, City Council approved a resolution amending the Consolidated Plan, FY 2020-21 Annual Action Plan, and the FY 2020-21 City Operating Budget by reallocating CARES Act (COVID-19) funding Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG-CV) program funds.
DISCUSSION:
In 2020, the City of Pomona responded to LAHSA’s Request for Proposals (RFP), seeking funds to continue the operation of the Hope for Home Access Center to provide critical services to homeless adults, initial screening, emergency service referrals, warm handoff referrals, supportive service referrals, initial assessment (CES Surveys), and case management for persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness. On September 2, 2020, the City received LAHSA’s intent to allocate renewal funding for the 2020-21 Fiscal Year in HEAP funding to operate the Pomona Access Center from July 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020, with extended funding through June 30, 2021 anticipated. LAHSA did not award the extended Access Center funding to the City of Pomona, but did award the Problem Solving funding to be used at the Hope for Home Access Center for FY 2021-22.
The Hope for Home Site Partners provide primary services at the Access Center. These Site Partners include: VOALA, providing housing, case management and assessment services; Tri City Mental Health, providing mental health services; East Valley Community Health Center, providing health services; Prototypes providing substance disorder treatment services; and, Southern California Goodwill, providing employment services. Through the Access Center, and with a Use Agreement with the City of Pomona, each of these partners provide services in their area of specialty to homeless adults. The Access Center hosts a health clinic, counseling offices, case management offices, homeless outreach, day shelter, and a conference room. Other services hosted are on an as-needed basis.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS: This action supports City Council Goal K – to reduce the unsheltered homeless population by 10% annually and take actions to mitigate the impacts of homelessness on the community.
Prepared by:
____________________________________________
Donyielle Holley
Homeless Programs Supervisor
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2022-03
A Resolution Accepting COC-HHAP Funds to Operate an Access Center at Hope for Home and Awarding Funds to VOALA Access Center as the Operator.