CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
April 15, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Gutierrez, City Manager
Submitted By: Beverly Johnson, Acting Neighborhood Services Director SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AMENDED GRANT FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE CRISIS HOUSING PROGRAM AT HOPE FOR HOME HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER AND AMENDMENT OF THE FY 2023-24 OPERATING BUDGET RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-57 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF AN ADDITIONAL $213,034 IN MEASURE H GRANT FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE CRISIS HOUSING PROGRAM AT HOPE FOR HOME HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER (H4H), AMENDMENT OF THE FY 2023-24 OPERATING BUDGET TO INCREASE REVENUE ESTIMATES BY $213,034 AND APPROPRIATIONS BY $209,680 Amend the agreement with Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA) as the H4H Site Operator by increasing the award by $201,407 to operate the Crisis Housing Program; and Authorize the City Manager to execute all agreements, amendments, and any other documentation requested for acceptance of the award, distribution of the funding and operation of the H4H Crisis Housing Program, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) informed the City of Pomona that Measure H funds to operate the Crisis Housing Program for adults experiencing homelessness, had been amended. Effective January 1, 2024, LAHSA increased the bed rate resulting in an increase of award funds for an additional $213,034 making the total agreement for Crisis Housing $1,677,034. The contract period for this award will remain from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. In addition, the selected Hope for Home site operator – Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA) – will receive an increased allocation of $201,407 of this funding to administer and operate the program.
SB1439/GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLICABILITY:
☒ When this box is checked, it indicates the agenda item is subject to the Levine Act SB1439 requirements. Councilmembers are reminded to check their campaign contributions and determine whether they have received a campaign contribution of $250 or more that would require disclosure and/or recusal from discussing or acting on this agenda item. Campaign contributions of $250 or more made 1) by any person or entity who is identified in the agenda report as the applicant or proposer or 2) on behalf of the applicant or participant, including a parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity, or 3) by any person who has a financial interest in the agenda item requires a councilmember to comply with SB1439.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-57 (Attachment No.1) will authorize the acceptance of an additional $213,034 in Los Angeles County Measure H funds, for the operation of the City’s Hope for Home Crisis Housing Program. Of the $213,034, $189,780 will be allocated to 139-1791-XXXXX-65408 for program operations and $23,254 to 139-1702-XXXXX-65408 for administrative costs. Of the $23,254, $11,627 will be awarded to VOALA for grant administration, and the remaining administrative balance will be utilized by the City of Pomona.
The increase in revenue by $213,034 and increase in appropriations to expenditure accounts by $209,680 will balance the account to reflect amended award in FMS.
Revenue Account #
Change to 2023-24 Revenue Estimates
Expenditure Account #
Requested 2023-24 Appropriations ($)
139-1702-40903-65408
+$23,254
139-1702-52403-65408
+$8,273
139-1702-52285-65408
+$11,627
139-1791-40903-65408
+$189,780
139-1791-52285-65408
+$189,780
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On July 17, 2017, City Council approved award to Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA) as the selected Hope for Home Homeless Services Center (H4H) site operator for an initial 5-year period, designating them as the sole source recipient of future funds identified to operate H4H and its programs.
On July 2, 2018, the City Council approved an award of $1,460,000 in Los Angeles County Measure H funding, to operate a Crisis Housing Program at Hope for Home from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. On October 19, 2020, the City Council approved a partial contract award of $486,667 in Los Angeles County Measure H funding to operate Hope for Home’s Crisis Housing Program from July 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020. On December 21, 2020, the City Council approved an additional contract award of $973,333 in Los Angeles County Measure H funding, to operate the Crisis Housing Program from November 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. LAHSA informed the City of Pomona, that it had been awarded an annual renewal of $1,460,000 from the Los Angeles County Measure H funding, for operation costs of the 100 bed Crisis Housing Program at H4H at a rate of $40 per bed, per each day in the calendar year. The award for FY 23-24 was increased to $1,464,000 to reflect the additional day due to the leap year.
DISCUSSION:
On February 9, 2016, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (BOS), adopted the Homelessness Initiative Strategies to Combat Homelessness. The Homeless Initiative includes six key areas of focus and fifty-one strategies were developed to combat homelessness in Los Angeles County. This initiative is in part, funded by Measure H funds. Measure H represents a one-quarter cent sales tax voted and approved by Los Angeles County constituents in March 2017, to generate funds for homeless services and resources. Two of the strategies eligible for funding under the Homeless Initiative are:
E1: Create a Coordinated System and E8: Enhance the Emergency Shelter System.
On September 19, 2017, the City of Pomona responded and applied to a Request for Proposals (RFP) released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), to fund 100 crisis beds in the Year-Round Emergency Shelter – Hope for Home Homeless Services Center, constructed by the City of Pomona. In October 2017, LAHSA awarded contract number 2017CESSAY54 to the City of Pomona, to implement a Year-Round Crisis Housing Program. On June 19, 2018, the City of Pomona was notified by LAHSA that it was awarded $1,460,000 for the program beginning on July 1, 2018, with annualized renewals.
On February 14, 2024, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) sent out a memo to interim housing providers to notify them the State of California, County of Los Angeles and City of Los Angeles had approved an increase to the bed rate at interim housing sites. The Hope for Home Homeless Services Center (H4H) being a partially LAHSA funded site meant there would be an increase to the funding of the Bridge Housing and Crisis Housing programs. The new bed rate for both would be $60.
On February 22, 2024, Neighborhood Services and Finance staff attended a meeting with LAHSA representatives to discuss the increase and when it would take effect. At that time it was shared the increase would be retroactively effective January 1, 2024 and would allow the current agreement to be amended. City staff relayed the information to the site operator, Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA) and determined funds would be used for crucial FTE positions that were previously reduced due to budget limitations and operational costs to improve the site.
Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA), was selected to be the sole source recipient to receive funding for the operation of Hope for Home Homeless Services Center for an initial 5-year period. Of the amended award for $1,677,034, VOALA will be awarded $1,587,193 to administer and operate the City of Pomona’s Hope for Home Year-Round Crisis Housing Program from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The City will retain $89,841 for administrative costs for oversight and monitoring of the grant.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS:
This item 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
Homeless Programs Coordinator
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2024-57
A Resolution Accepting Amended Crisis Housing Program Funds and Amending VOALA Agreement