CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
April 21, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Scott, City Manager
Submitted By: Beverly Johnson, 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 2024-25 OPERATING BUDGET RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-54 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF AN ADDITIONAL $886,900 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 2024-25 OPERATING BUDGET TO INCREASE REVENUE ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATIONS BY $886,900 Amend the agreement with Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA) as the H4H Site Operator by increasing the award by $841,135 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, 2025, LAHSA increased the bed rate resulting in an increase to the Measure H award funds for an additional $886,900 making the total agreement for Crisis Housing $2,714,900. The contract period for this award will remain from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. In addition, the selected Hope for Home site operator – Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA) – will receive an increased allocation of $841,135 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 $500 or more that would require disclosure and/or recusal from discussing or acting on this agenda item. Campaign contributions of $500 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. 2025-54 (Attachment No.1) will authorize the acceptance of an additional $886,900 in Los Angeles County Measure H funds to operate the City’s Hope for Home Crisis Housing Program. Of the $886,900, $795,370 will be allocated to 139-1791-XXXXX-65408 for program operations and $91,530 to 139-1702-XXXXX-65408 for administrative costs. Of the $91,530, VOALA receives $45,765 for grant administration, and the City of Pomona will utilize the remaining administrative balance.
Revenue Account #
Change to 2024-25 Revenue Estimates
Expenditure Account #
Requested 2024-25 Appropriations ($)
139-1702-40903-65408
+$91,530
139-1702-52285-65408
+$45,765
139-1702-52402-65408
+$45,765
139-1791-40903-65408
+$795,370
139-1791-52285-65408
+$795,370
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On July 17, 2017, the City Council approved an award to Volunteers of America of 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. This funding covered the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. On October 19, 2020, the City Council approved a partial contract award of $486,667 to operate from July 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020. On December 21, 2020, the City Council approved an additional contract award of $973,333 to operate from November 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The award for FY 23-24 was initially increased to $1,464,000 to reflect the additional day due to the leap year. The award was later amended as a result of a cost study conducted by LAHSA increasing the bed rate to $60 and the FY 2023-24 award to $1,677,034. The City Council approved the amendment to the agreement on April 15, 2024. On August 5, 2024, the City Council approved a partial award of $1,828,000 of the anticipated $2,190,000.
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 funded in part 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.
Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA) was selected to be the 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 $886,900, VOALA will receive $841,135 to administer and operate the City of Pomona’s Hope for Home Year-Round Crisis Housing Program from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The City will retain $45,765 for administrative costs for oversight and monitoring of the grant.
On August 5, 2024, the City Council approved a partial award of $1,828,000 out of the anticipated $2,190,000, leaving a pending award of $362,000. Subsequently, on January 1, 2025, LAHSA increased the bed rate from $60 to $89, leading to an amendment of the agreement for an additional $524,900 for the contract period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. On April 1, 2025, LAHSA further amended the agreement to include the pending award and the increased bed rate, resulting in an increase of $886,900 and a new total agreement amount of $2,714,900.
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. 2025-54
Authorize Acceptance of Amended Measure H Funding and Amend Contract with VOALA