CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
September 19, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Benita De Frank, Neighborhood Services Director SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDS FOR OPERATION OF A BRIDGE HOUSING PROGRAM AT THE HOPE FOR HOME HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER AND AMEND THE FY 2022-23 OPERATING BUDGET RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-118 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF $912,500 IN CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC) HOUSING HOMELESS, ASSISTANCE AND PREVENTION (HHAP) GRANT FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION OF A BRIDGE HOUSING PROGRAM AT THE HOPE FOR HOME HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER (H4H), AMEND THE FY 2022-23 OPERATING BUDGET TO INCREASE REVENUE AND APPROPRIATION ESTIMATES BY $9.
Amend the agreement with Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA) as the H4H site Operator by awarding $863,617 to operate the Bridge Housing Program 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 H4H Bridge Housing Program, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has informed the City of Pomona that it has been awarded $912,500 Continuum of Care Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (CoC HHAP) and Measure H funds to operate a Bridge Housing Program for homeless adults. The intent of this funding is to provide financial resources for direct operations and administrative costs associated with providing 50 Bridge Housing Program beds at the H4H.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Adoption of Resolution No. 2022-118 (Attachment No. 1) authorizes the acceptance of $912,500 in County of Los Angeles CoC HHAP and Measure H Special funds for the operation of a Bridge Housing Program at the H4H, the total award includes $764,596 CoC HHAP and $147,904 in Measure H funds.
Of the total CoC HHAP funds, $682,684 will be allocated to 215-1791-52285-58720 for operation of a Bridge Housing Program and $81,912 will be allocated to 215-1702-52285-58720 for administrative costs. Of the $81,912, $40,956 will be awarded to VOALA and the remaining $40,956 will be utilized by the City of Pomona.
Of the total Measure H funds, $132,057 will be allocated to 139-1791-52285-58720 and $15,847 to 139-1702-52285-58720 for administrative costs. Out of the $15,847, $7,924 will be awarded to VOALA and the remaining $7,923 will be utilized by the City of Pomona.
The Bridge Housing grant was previously funded through a combination of Los Angeles County CoC HHAP and Measure H funding as reflected in the revenue estimates and appropriations as part of the City’s FY 2022-23 adopted operating budget. The following increase in revenue and appropriation of $9 to CoC HHAP award for FY 2022-23 budget is required to reflect the total award of $912,500 funding provided by LAHSA.
Revenue Account #
Change to 2022-23 Revenue Estimates
Expenditure Account #
Requested 2022-23 Appropriation ($)
215-1791-40903-58720
+$9
215-1791-52285-58720
+$9
Total
+$9
Total
+$9
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On January 7, 2017 the City Council adopted “A Way Home: Community Solutions for Pomona’s Homeless” which included Goal A – Reduce the Number of Unsheltered Homeless Persons in Pomona. On July 17, 2017, City Council approved an award of contract to VOALA as the selected H4H Site Operator for an initial 5-year period, designating them as a sole source recipient of future funds identified to operate Hope for Home and its programs.
On December 2, 2019, the City Council approved an award of $607,500 in Los Angeles County Measure H funding and HEAP funds to operate a Bridge Housing Program at H4H from November 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020. On October 19, 2020, the City was awarded $304,166, with a combination of Los Angeles County Measure H funding and State Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) funds, to continue the operation of the 64-bed Bridge Housing Program from July 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020 with extended funding through June 30, 2021 anticipated.
On December 21, 2020, the City was awarded the extended funding in the amount of $862,512, with a combination of Los Angeles County Measure H funding and HEAP funds, to operate a 64-bed Bridge Housing Program from November 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.
On September 21, 2021, the City was awarded $912,500 to continue operating the 50-bed Bridge Housing Program in FY 2021-22, with a combination of Los Angeles County CoC HHAP and Measure H funds, for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
DISCUSSION:
City staff is recommending the acceptance of this funding award and to amend the VOALA Agreement, as the H4H Site Operator, to operate the Bridge Housing Program for an amount not to exceed $863,617. The award of $863,617 is for program operation, including staffing, food, facility costs, security and administrative costs.
In 2019, the City of Pomona responded to LAHSA’s Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking funds to establish and operate a Bridge Housing Program to provide interim housing services to homeless adults. According to LAHSA’s RFP, bridge housing is a reserved twenty-four (24) hour emergency housing program targeted for eligible persons experiencing homelessness that have been prioritized through the Coordinated Entry System (CES) for safe and supportive housing resources. The intention of this emergency housing is to provide participants with some stability in order to maintain contact with housing navigation and/or case management services and facilitate safe and supportive housing placement. In FY 2020-21, the City of Pomona was awarded funding for the operation of 64 beds at H4H. In FY 2021-22 and in FY 2022-23, the City of Pomona was awarded 50 beds, per FY, with bridge housing funding.
The City was recently awarded the extended funding in the amount of $912,500 in Los Angeles County Measure H funding to operate a 64-bed Bridge Housing Program from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. In an effort to operate the Bridge Housing Program expeditiously, City staff is recommending that $863,617 of the funding accepted be allocated to VOALA, as the identified Hope for H4H Site Operator. This award consists of $814,732, for program operation, including staffing, food, facility costs, and security and also provides $48,883 for VOALA’s administrative costs. The City will retain $48,883 for administrative costs for oversight and monitoring of the grant.
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:
Veronica Perez
Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2022-118
A Resolution Accepting Bridge Housing Program Funds and Amending VOALA Agreement