CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
August 4, 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 TO AMEND THE FY 2025-26 OPERATING BUDGET AND AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT TO VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA OF LOS ANGELES RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-85 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN, FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2025-26 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, AND FY 2025-26 CITY OPERATING BUDGET TO REALLOCATE $200,000 IN EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS, RAPID UNSHELTERED SURVIVORS HOUSING (ESG-RUSH) FUNDS FOR RAPID RE-HOUSING ACTIVITIES Award a sole-source Professional Services Agreement to Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA) in the amount of $200,000; and, Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all contracts, amendments and any other documentation requested for administering grant funds, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Action on this item will approve a sole source agreement (Attachment No. 2). with Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA) in the amount of $200,000 for a rapid re-housing program to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness to quickly move into housing.
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. 2025-85 (Attachment No. 1) will authorize the reallocation of $200,000 in grant funds from the Homeless Prevention activity (186-1791-XXXXX-58810) to Rapid Re-housing (186-1791-XXXXX-64925).
PUBLIC NOTICING REQUIREMENTS:
A Public Notice was published on July 25, 2025, in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin newspaper for the August 4, 2025, Public Hearing (Attachment No. 3).
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On March 3, 2025, the City Council accepted a special allocation of $1.0 million from the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) program. The allocation was in response to the President’s major disaster declaration dated January 8, 2025, for Wildfires and Straight-Line winds. The City intended to use these funds to address the housing and services needs of people experiencing homelessness, or at-risk of homelessness.
DISCUSSION:
The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Special Needs Assistance Program’s made a special allocation of ESG funding to the City of Pomona to address the needs of people who were unhoused or at risk of homelessness before the major disaster. The initial allocation of $1.0 million was determined using a formula that considers the number of persons experiencing sheltered or unsheltered homelessness in counties or local municipalities that are within the declared disaster areas. Staff have identified a need for another eligible activity and are requesting to reallocate available funds from Homeless Prevention to Rapid Re-housing. Upon approval, the City must amend the FY 2023-2028 Consolidated Plan, the FY 25-26 Annual Action Plan and the FY 2025-2026 City Operating Budget.
Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA) is a prominent homeless service provider in Pomona, operating both the Hope for Home Homeless Services Center and the Pomona Family Sanctuary. Their experience spans diverse populations, including adult individuals and families with minor children, demonstrating their capability in connecting people experiencing homelessness with permanent housing solutions. Furthermore, VOALA was awarded the Continuum of Care grant for Operation Porchlight, a rapid re-housing program. This program’s requirements include housing navigation, ongoing case management, a personalized housing plan, and connections to self-sufficiency resources. All of which align with the objectives of the ESG-RUSH rapid re-housing program, making VOALA an ideal partner to oversee its implementation. VOALA is uniquely qualified for a sole source award due to their established and essential operational presence as the exclusive provider of key homeless services and rapid re-housing programs within Pomona, making them the only entity capable of immediate and seamless program implementation.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS:
This 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. 2025-85
Attachment No. 2 – Sole Source Professional Services Agreement Attachment No. 3 – Public Notice ESG-RUSH
Award a Sole Source to VOALA for RRH
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