CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
November 18, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Gutierrez, City Manager
Submitted by: Beverly Johnson, Neighborhood Services Director Subject: ADOPT A RESULUTION TO ACCEPT TRI CITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE ACT FUNDING, AWARD VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA FUNDS FOR HOPE FOR HOME CRISIS SHELTER OPERATIONS, AND AMEND BUDGET TO INCLUDE CARRYOVER FUNDS RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Adopt the following resolution:
Resolution No. 2024-156 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, Authorizing the Acceptance of $396,025 in Mental Health Services Act Funding from Tri City Mental Health Center to operate 31 crisis shelter beds at THE hope for home homeless services center (H4H), CARRYING OVER $345,589 FROM FY 2023-24 TO FY 2024-25, AND INCREASING REVENUE ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATIONS BY THE SAME AMOUNT Amend the agreement with Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA) as the Hope for Home Site Operator by awarding $741,614 to operate the Crisis Shelter Beds; 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 Hope for Home Crisis Housing Program, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On December 18, 2018, the City enter into an agreement with Tri-City Mental Health Center, utilizing Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding to reserve 28 crisis shelter beds at Hope for Home (H4H) for approximately 100 homeless adults offering shelter, meals, case management, and other resources to help individuals transition to permanent housing.
This agreement expanded in 2019 to fund 31 beds and extended the term through June 30, 2022, with a total grant of $396,025. Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA), the site operator, receives $356,425 for managing the shelter, while $39,600 covers City administrative costs.
The contract renews annually, requiring the City’s acceptance each fiscal year through June 30, 2025. Unspent funds, including $345,589 from FY 2023-2024, are carried over until fully used to support shelter operations.
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. 2024-156 (Attachment No. 1) authorizes the acceptance of the Tri-City Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) award from Tri City, totaling $396,025 from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. The carryover of unspent funds from FY 2023-24, amounting to $345,589 will lead to an amendment of the FY 2024-25 Operating Budget in the MHSA grant (Fund 215). This will result in an increase in revenue estimates and appropriations by the same amount. The following table details the fiscal impacts associated with the recommended action:
Revenue Account #
Change to 2024-25 Revenue Estimates
Expenditure Account #
Requested 2024-25 Appropriations ($)
215-1702-40873-58681
+$5,353
215-1702-52285-58681
+$5,353
215-1791-40873-58681
+340,236
215-1791-52285-58681
+$340,236
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On August 6 2018, the City entered into an agreement with Tri-City Mental Health Center to utilize Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding to reserve 28 crisis shelter beds at the Hope for Home Homeless Services Center (H4H). These beds are critical for serving approximately 100 homeless adults annually, offering essential services such as shelter, meals, case management, and other coordinated resources designed to help individuals transition into permanent housing. Subsequently, on December 18, 2018, the City formally entered into this agreement, securing Tri-City’s financial participation and reserving the 28 crisis beds.
On December 2, 2019, the original agreement was amended, increasing the funding from $357,700 to $396,025 and expanding the number of crisis shelter beds from 28 to 31. This amendment also extended the contract period from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2022, ensuring continued support for the increased capacity and funding for the shelter beds.
On July 1, 2022, a second amendment was executed, extending the agreement for an additional three years through June 30, 2025, for a total of $1,188,075. The funding continues to support crisis shelter beds for Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) clients referred by Tri-City, for Shelter Operation cost to support 31 Crisis beds at Hope for Home (H4H).
In FY 2023-24, the City council approved $396,025 awarded along with a carryover of $229,556 from Tri-City MHSA funds previously awarded in FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21, which extended into FY 2022-23 and 2023-2024. On September 20, 2021, the City Council approved the carryover of these funds, and since then, the balance has been carried over each fiscal year.
DISCUSSION:
Since January 1, 2019, Tri-City Mental Health Center has utilized MHSA funds to cover the costs of 31 crisis shelter beds designated for homeless adults in need. The initial agreement also provided funding for purchasing beds, lockers, and office furnishings for the Hope for Home Access Center, further enhancing the capacity of the shelter to serve its clients.
The grant contract has been renewed each fiscal year since the agreement’s beginning, ensuring that the City can continue accepting the annual award of $396,025 through June 30, 2025. The agreement allows the carryover of any unspent funds from previous years, with the City permitted to roll these funds over annually until they are fully expended. For FY 2023-2024, $345,286 remained unspent and will be carried over into the following fiscal year to support the ongoing operation of the crisis shelter beds.
It is recommended that out of the total grant, $356,425 of this funding be awarded to Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA), the operator of Hope for Home, to manage and oversee the shelter beds. An additional $39,600 is allocated for the City’s administrative costs related to managing the program. These interim crisis beds will be used to accommodate approximately 100 eligible homeless adults annually, providing a bed, food, case management and other coordinated services identified to assist homeless persons in obtaining permanent housing.
The annual renewal of this grant contract is essential to maintaining the shelter’s services, which play a vital role in addressing homelessness by providing pathways to permanent housing for the individuals served.
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:
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2024-156
Authorization to Accept Tri City MHSA Funds