CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
September 14, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Scott, City Manager
Submitted By: Beverly Johnson, Neighborhood Services Director SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE GRANT FUNDING AWARD AND THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE SITE OPERATOR AGREEMENT WITH VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA OF LOS ANGELES (VOALA) TO OPERATE THE HOPE FOR HOME HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-101 – A RESOLUTION (ATTACHMENT NO. 1) OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE SITE OPERATOR AGREEMENT WITH VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA OF LOS ANGELES (VOALA) AND AMENDMENT TO THE FY 2026-2027 OPERATING BUDGET INCREASING REVENUE ESTIMATES BY $684,695 AND APPROPRIATIONS BY $1,526,563 Authorize the City Manager to amend the site operator agreement with VOALA to award $2,347,671 from July 1, 2026, until June 30, 2027, preventing a lapse in staffing and services; 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 Homeless Services Center, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Approval of this item will authorize the third amendment (Attachment No. 2) of the Hope for Home (H4H) Site Operator Agreement with Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA) and award $2,347,671 retroactively beginning July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
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. 2026-101 will amend the City’s FY 2026-2027 Operating budget by increasing revenue estimates in the amount of $684,695 and a corresponding increase in appropriations by $1,526,563 Below is a summary of the fiscal impact.
Worktags
Change to Revenue Estimates
Worktags
Change to Appropriations
Fund: FD215 Miscellaneous Grants
Cost Center: CC1791
Revenue Category: Grant – State
Grant: GR58681
Fund: FD215 Miscellaneous Grants
Cost Center: CC1791
Spend Category: Controllable Contract Services
Grant: GR58681
+$841,868
Fund: FD215 Miscellaneous Grants
Cost Center: CC1791
Revenue Category: Grant – HUD
Grant: GR58811
-$338,838
Fund: FD215 Miscellaneous Grants
Cost Center: CC1791
Spend Category: Controllable Contract Services
Grant: GR58811
+$338,838
Fund: FD141 Measure A
Cost Center: CC1702
Revenue Category: Measure A Revenue
Grant: GR58820A
-$12,676
Fund: FD141 Measure A
Cost Center: CC1702
Spend Category: Various
Grant: GR58820A
+$12,676
Fund: FD141 Measure A
Cost Center: CC1791
Revenue Category: Measure A Revenue
Grant: GR58820
-$333,181
Fund: FD141 Measure A
Cost Center: CC1791
Spend Category: Controllable Contract Services
Grant: GR58820
+$333,181
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On January 7, 2017, the City Council adopted “A Way Home: Community Solutions for Pomona’s Homeless,” which included Goal A—Reduce the Number of Unsheltered Homeless Persons in Pomona. On July 17, 2017, the City Council approved awarding a contract to VOALA as the selected Hope for Home (H4H) Site Operator for an initial 5-year period, from November 30, 2018, through June 30, 2023, designating them as the sole source recipient of future funds identified for operating Hope for Home and its programs. On September 9, 2024, the City Council approved the first amendment to the agreement extending the term until June 30, 2025. On October 6, 2025, the City Council approved the second amendment to the agreement extending the term until June 30, 2026.
DISCUSSION:
Volunteers of America of Los Angeles (VOALA) is one of the City of Pomona’s prominent homeless service providers, with extensive experience serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, VOALA was selected by the County of Los Angeles to operate the Project Roomkey program, which provided temporary motel accommodations for individuals and families experiencing homelessness who were at heightened risk of COVID-19. VOALA has also served as a Continuum of Care referral partner for Permanent Supportive Housing and has provided life skills workshops, case management, housing navigation, security deposit assistance, and rental assistance through its Operation Porchlight program. Based on this demonstrated experience and established service capacity, VOALA is highly qualified to serve as the subrecipient under the professional services agreement for the continued operation of the Hope for Home Homeless Services Center.
The amendment to the Site Operator Agreement will provide $2,347,671 in combined funding from federal Emergency Solutions Grant Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (ESG-RUSH) funds, Measure A Local Solutions Funds (LSF), and carryover Tri-City Mental Health State Act (TCMHSA) funds. These resources will support interim housing beds accessed through coordinated outreach efforts. The Pomona Police Department’s Quality of Life Unit conducts street outreach in coordination with its dedicated Mental Health Unit to identify and engage people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in Pomona and refer eligible individuals to available interim housing beds. In addition, Tri-City Community Navigators refer PEH who are connected to mental health services to interim housing beds supported by TCMHSA funding. Together, these coordinated efforts expand access to interim housing and connect individuals experiencing homelessness with appropriate supportive services and housing resources.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS:
This item supports City Council Priority 4 – Goal D: Reduce Unsheltered Homelessness Prepared by:
_____________________________
Genesis Hernandez
Homeless Programs Coordinator
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2026-101
Attachment No. 2 – Third Amendment to Site Operator Agreement for Hope for Home Amend H4H Site Operator Agreement