CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
November 06, 2023
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 MEASURE H HOMELESS INITIATIVE FUNDS TO ADMINISTER THE HOMELESS INCENTIVE PROGRAM (HIP) AND AMEND THE FY 2023-24 OPERATING BUDGET RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-189 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF $86,994 IN MEASURE H HOMELESS INITIATIVE FUNDS TO LOCALLY ADMINISTER THE HOMELESS INCENTIVE PROGRAM (HIP) AND THE AMENDMENT OF THE FY 2023-24 OPERATING BUDGET BY INCREASING REVENUE ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATIONS BY $60,610 Authorize the City Manager to execute all agreements, amendments and any other documentation requested for acceptance of the award, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) informed the City of Pomona Housing Authority (PHA) that $86,994 had been awarded Measure H Homeless Initiative, Strategy B4 funds to support Homeless Section 8 voucher recipients. The contract period for this award is July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-189 (Attachment No. 1) will authorize the acceptance of $86,994 in Los Angeles County Measure H funds, to support persons experiencing homelessness. Of the $86,994 award, $7,909 will be allocated to 139-1702-XXXXX-65401 for administrative costs and the remaining $79,085 will be allocated to 139-1791-XXXXX-65401 for program operation. The budget for FY 2023-24 was based on the previous award of $26,384. The PHA requested additional voucher assistance, resulting in a need to increase revenue estimates and appropriations for the Homeless Incentive Program to reflect the increase in the award by $60,610.
Revenue Account #
Change to 2023-24 Revenue Estimates
Expenditure Account #
Requested 2023-24 Appropriations ($)
139-1702-40903-65401
+$5,271
139-1702-52060-65401
+$5,271
139-1791-40903-65401
+$55,339
139-1791-5xxxx-65401
+$55,339
Total
$60,610
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On November 20, 2017 City Council approved entering into an agreement with the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (HACoLA), now known as the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), to provide support to persons experiencing homelessness. Additionally, the PHA would provide resources to assist those in search of housing, while encouraging landlord acceptance of subsidized tenants who have had vouchers issued to them.
DISCUSSION:
Los Angeles County’s Measure H Initiative is expected to generate an estimated $355 million annually for an estimated total of $3.5 billion over 10 years to provide housing, programs and services to its most vulnerable residents. One of the eligible strategies under Measure H is Strategy B4 – “Facilitate Utilization of Federal Housing Subsidies.” The Initiative aims to do this by providing Public Housing Authorities throughout LA County with funding to encourage landlord acceptance of subsidized tenants who have been determined to be homeless with a HUD voucher.
On June 13, 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved funding allocations for each of the Measure H eligible Homeless Initiative strategies that included an allocation to LACDA for Strategy B4. The LACDA and the PHA believed it would be mutually beneficial to provide additional resources to homeless families in Pomona through the HIP.
There are four components to the HIP which includes:
Holding Fees: Provided in the form of incentives to landlords to receive one month’s fee for holding an available unit for homeless individuals and families who are determined eligible for housing.
Assistance with credit checks and rental application fees: Once a client elects a unit, they are eligible to receive financial assistance to cover the costs of a credit check and rental application fees.
Move-In Assistance: Provided to Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Participants in the form of security deposits, utility assistance and furniture essentials.
Damage Claims: Financial Assistance to Landlords to mitigate damages by tenants during their occupancy in subsidized units. The owner must first deduct the security deposit from the damages, and the PHA will pay for damages beyond the security deposit up to $2,000. This is the maximum the PHA will pay under any circumstances.
The original Interagency Agreement was entered into on April 2, 2018 for an annual allocation of $19,250 to assist 5 voucher holders with the allowable activities. The Homeless Incentive Program (HIP) has seen a steady increase in the award, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic this resulted in a decrease in utilization as Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) funds were available to cover similar costs. As EHV funds were phased out, there is a greater demand to assist unhoused voucher recipients. LACDA approved the PHA’s request to increase the amount of vouchers from 5 to 15 resulting in the awarding of $86,994 for HIP.
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:
Genesis Hernandez
Housing Analyst
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2023-189
Accept Measure H HIP Funds