November 28, 2023
Community Development
DATE: November 28, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Lina Velasco, Director of Community Development
Jesus M. Morales, Housing Manager
Subject:
Contract Amendment No. 2 with RCF Connects for
Housing First and Emergency Housing Assistance
Programs
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City Council accepted and appropriated an Encampment Resolution Round 2 award totaling
approximately ~$8.6 million. The grant funds include
resources for rent assistance and support services, such as case management and housing navigation services.
The contract amendment amount will be paid for using
the project-specific account string: 15061219-400201-
16G25.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
December 20, 2022, July 11, 2023, September 12, 2023
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
In December 2022, the City Council approved a
$525,000 contract with the Richmond Community
Foundation to administer the City’s Housing First and
Emergency Housing Assistance Programs. In July 2023,
the Council approved an amendment no. 1 to add
$625,084.80 in additional Housing First program funds.
All funds have since been expended or committed.
There are additional unhoused clients on a waitlist;
therefore, City staff is seeking City Council authorization to execute a contract amendment No. 2 to add
$1,111,633.15 in additional Housing First funds for these AGENDA
REPORT
November 28, 2023
programs to support unhoused residents in securing
housing and obtaining support services.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a contract amendment No. 2 with RCF
Connects to add $1,111,633.15 in additional funding for the Richmond Housing First and Emergency Housing
Assistance Programs, for total contract amount not to
exceed $2,261,717.95, for a term extending through June 30, 2025 – Community Development (Lina Velasco/Jesus
Morales 510-620-6706).
DISCUSSION:
In December 2022, the City Council approved a $525,000 contract with the Richmond Community Foundation to administer the City’s Housing First and Emergency Housing Assistance Programs. In July 2023, the Council approved an amendment no. 1 to add an additional $625,084.80 Housing First program funds. All funds have since been expended or committed. There are additional unhoused residents on a waitlist; therefore, City staff is seeking City Council authorization to execute contract amendment No. 2 to add $1,111,633.15 from the ERF-2R grant in additional Housing First funds for these programs to support ERF-2R eligible unhoused clients in securing housing and obtaining support services.
It is important to note the current state of the emergency shelter system within Contra Costa County. As of November 2023, the county's emergency shelter system has been severely impacted, resulting in nearly all the available beds being filled. This situation has placed an extreme burden on our unhoused population and our public systems.
Considering this, it is crucial for our city to adhere to the legal precedent set by Martin vs. Boise and Johnson vs. City of Grants Pass, which mandates that cities provide emergency shelter before enforcing any camping ordinances.
The Housing First program has proven to be a valuable resource in addressing these challenges. By providing housing assistance, emergency motel vouchers, employment support, and wrap-around services, the program aims to stabilize individuals' housing situations and alleviate some of the pressures on our emergency housing systems. This amendment will provide funds to address the ongoing needs of the unhoused population in Richmond.
The City Council accepted and appropriated an Encampment Resolution Round 2 award totaling approximately ~$8.6 million. The grant funds include resources for rent assistance and support services, such as case management and housing navigation services.
November 28, 2023
The Housing First program was able to assist 29 households with care management services and rent assistance that will last up to 12-18 months based on individual needs. City staff is seeking to utilize ERF-R2 funds to allow the program to continue and to support up to 30 additional eligible unhoused clients with rental assistance and care management services.
The ERF-R2 funds will fund a 1.0 FTE Program Manager/Housing Navigator, and a 1.0 FTE Case Manager for one year, provide up to $666,000 in direct rental assistance, and will also include up to $150,000 in Flex Funds to help unhoused clients address other housing living needs; food, furniture, and other items needed to help set up each home.
In addition, the Flex Funds can assist with transportation, documentation needs, employment support, medical, behavioral, and mental health services.
Staff recommends approving contract amendment No 2 with Richmond Community Foundation to continue the Housing First Program to assist up to 30 clients with housing assistance and case management services for a total not to exceed contract amount of $2,261,717.95, for a term through June 30, 2025, to be funded using the City’s Encampment Resolution Funds R2 grant.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Amendment No. 2 to the Contract
Attachment 2 – Original Contract and Amendment No. 1