September 20, 2022
City Manager's Office
DATE: September 20, 2022
TO: Mayor Butt and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Shasa Curl, City Manager
Nickie Mastay, Deputy City Manager Internal Services
Lina Velasco, Director of Community Development
Jesus Morales, Housing Manager
Gabino Arredondo, Project Manager
Subject:
Distribution of the Initial $50,000 Funds To Rydin Road Residents by a Service Provider.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The costs associated with the sunset of the Rydin Road encampment can be covered by funds allocated for
unhoused interventions (15061219-400201-RI160).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
March 16, 2021, December 7, 2021, June 28, 2022,
August 1, 2022
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Rydin Vehicle Encampment was set to sunset at the
end of December 2021. On August 1, 2022, the new
sunset date was established as September 30, 2022, and
contracts were approved to support the action. The initial $50,000 to be distributed to residents was not allocated directly to Housing Consortium of the East Bay (HCEB).
The following staff report provides two options to
expeditiously proceed with the distribution of the initial $50,000 and document the criteria used for distribution AGENDA
REPORT
September 20, 2022
RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE a sixth contract amendment and APPROPRIATE $50,000 to Housing Consortium of the
East Bay (HCEB) to support residents’ sunsetting from
Rydin Road, which was previously appropriated to
Community Development; and APPROVE an option for
the criteria HCEB shall use to distribute $50,000, in a total not to exceed $250,000 in flex funds; and CONSIDER the
extension of the HCEB contract and sunset date to
October 21, 2022 – City Manager’s Office (Shasa Curl
510-620-6512).
DISCUSSION:
City staff members are cognizant of the varied needs, challenges, and behavioral and mental health issues that may impact those who are experiencing homelessness and their capacity to access more secure housing. To that end, measures of success should not be limited to distribution of funds only, but include entering rehabilitative support services, accessing more permanent housing, securing training and employment, etc.
Background
The Rydin Vehicle Encampment was set to sunset at the end of December 2021.
However, at the Special Meeting of the City Council on August 1, 2022, a new sunset date of September 30, 2022, was established to allow for additional time for the transition of the encampment residents. Additionally, contracts with Housing Consortium of the East Bay (HCEB), Collaborising (sub-contract), and $200,000 of Flex Funds with criteria was approved to support the development and implementation of Rydin Road Transitional Plans (Attachment 2).
At the regular meeting of the City Council on December 7, 2022, $50,000 in Flex Funds was also allocated to the Community Development Department to provide funding for vehicle repairs, preparation for transfer or removal, registration, storage, and towing for recreational vehicles (RV), and the temporary storage of personal belongings. At a subsequent meeting on June 28, 2022, an additional $200,000 was allocated to be distributed to support and allow for expanded scope of the funds. City staff had explored multiple avenues for use of the funds as previously directed by City Council, and ultimately found that one strategy (vehicle support) was inadequate. In expanding the scope of these funds, the City could more directly and efficiently address vehicular, safety, and other basic amenity needs, in support of relocating Rydin Road residents in a timely and thoughtful manner. Later, at the Special City Council Meeting held on August 1, 2022, the recommended action on the staff report or the final motion did not include the approval that HCEB would be allocated and distribute the initial $50,000 to Rydin Road program participants.
September 20, 2022
“There is also a possibility of including the distribution of $50,000 in flex funds to a contract with HCEB” (pg.7, Attachment 3).”
Given the City Manager’s contract authority for allocations is limited to $10,000, City staff members recommend that formal action is taken for clarity, transparency, and proper procurement. Ultimately, the first action City staff is requesting is a contract amendment be entered into with HCEB to increase the payment limit and provide for the disbursement of the initial 50,000 Flex Funds allocated to the Community Development department.
At the June 28, 2022, City Council meeting, the direction was provided to City staff to expand the terms under which the initial $50,000 funds can be spent to include safety and other basic amenity needs, in service of relocating Rydin Road residents. The verbal staff report provided by Lina Velasco, Director of Community Development outlined the following criteria for Rydin Road residents to access the $50,000 Flex Funds:
1. Residents needed to be program participants. Program participants are defined as those residents are/have:
a. Registered in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) system with Contra Costa County;
b. Registered with HCEB; and
c. Completed, signed, and have on file a program agreement
Furthermore, Director Velasco also, mentioned that the distribution of the $50,000 would be divided equally amongst 25 program participants, at that time, and that staff would work to verify and account for expenses outlined in the transition plans. To support review of the Transition Plans, City staff from the City Manager’s Office are participating in ongoing meetings with service providers and City staff from the Community Development and Police departments.
The second action City staff is requesting for City Council consideration includes review and selection of one of two potential options to expeditiously proceed with the distribution of the initial $50,000 and document criteria for distribution with HCEB.
POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS OPTIONS:
Options Criteria
1 Authorize the City Manager or her designee to provide $50,000 to HCEB in one lump sum payment for their distribution according to their criteria and expertise, which HCEB shall monitor to facilitate the thoughtful transition of Rydin Road unhoused persons, which shall be distributed to HCEB within 24 hours from City Council approval. HCEB shall closely coordinate the sunsetting of Rydin Road with Contra Costa County to ensure all Rydin Road program participants are provided with all available social services
September 20, 2022
Transition Plan (TPs) Timeline Status Updates:
Aug 24th
Nine viable TPs being developed with residents
Ten TPs in process
Ten residents with no plans
29 total residents
Sep 7th
Ten viable TPs being developed with residents*
Seven TPs in process
Twelve residents with no plans
29 total residents
Sep 14th
Fourteen viable TPs being developed with residents**
Four TPs in process
Ten residents with no plans
28 total residents (one resident passed away)
including, but not limited to, housing options, mental health, drug rehabilitation, CalFresh, General Assistance, etc.
There is no change to criteria established for the distribution of the $200,000 which incorporates the development and approval of a Transition Plan by Rydin Road program participants (Attachment 2 - Exhibit C - HCEB Contract).
2 Authorize the City Manager or her designee to provide $50,000 to HCEB, which was previously appropriated to Community Development for distribution with $200,000 previously awarded in flex funds to thoughtfully transition unhoused persons at Rydin Road using the criteria developed by the City of Richmond staff members, which shall require the implementation of individual Transition Plans, for a total amount not to exceed $250,000 in total flex funds; and extend the deadline to sunset the Rydin Road encampment to October 21 to ensure and enable number of Rydin Road residents to complete their Transition Plans and obtain services. HCEB to closely coordinate the sunsetting of Rydin Road with Contra Costa County to ensure all Rydin Road residents are provided with all available social services including, but not limited to, housing options, mental health, drug rehabilitation, CalFresh, General Assistance, etc
Attachment 2 Exhibit C Flex Funds for Rydin Road
September 20, 2022
*Sept 7th - One completed transition plan submitted for review and approval **Sep 13th - Three transitional plans submitted for preliminary review, requested additional information
Next Steps
It is to be noted that Option 2, under Potential Distribution of Funds may require additional funding to the service provider(s), which the City Council can consider at the October 4, 2022, City Council meeting.
If Rydin residents implement their Transition Plans, city staff members recommend the City Council provide priority for Housing First resources. The Draft Housing First Request for Proposal (RFP) is attached for reference.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 - HCEB Contract Amendment #5
Attachment 2 - HCEB Contract Amendment #5 – Exhibit C
Attachment 3 - August 1, 2020, Sunsetting Staff Report
Attachment 4 - Draft HCEB Contract Amendment #6
Attachment 5 - Draft Housing First Request For Proposal