March 25, 2025
Community Development
DATE: March 25, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Lina Velasco, Director of Community Development
Jesus M. Morales, Housing Manager
Subject:
Grant Agreement with Contra Costa Interfaith
Transitional Housing, Inc. (dba Hope Solutions)
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The funding for this 1-year grant agreement is $300,000.
The grant amount is included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 General Fund budget allocation (account string
15061219-400201-RI160).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
September 12, 2023
November 26, 2024
January 7, 2025
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Contra Costa Interfaith Transitional Housing, Inc. (dba Hope Solutions) is seeking City assistance for capital and supportive services for the Tiny House Village Farm and Garden project for youth ages 18 to 24, who were
formerly unhoused.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a grant services agreement in an amount not
to exceed $300,000 with Contra Costa Interfaith
Transitional Housing, Inc. (dba Hope Solutions) to
provide development and supportive services for the
Richmond Tiny House Village Farm and Garden Project
at 175 23rd Street for a term expiring December 31,
2025– Community Development (Lina Velasco/Jesus
Morales, 510-620-6649).
AGENDA
REPORT
March 25, 2025
DISCUSSION:
The Richmond Tiny House Village Farm and Garden project is a collaboration between local community organizations creating Richmond’s first Tiny House Village.
The City Council requested staff complete a Richmond Police Activities League (RPAL) lease amendment on September 12, 2023, to allow this village to be built at 175 23rd Street. This lease amendment allows for the construction of a Tiny House Village with seven (7) tiny houses at the site to be inhabited by six (6) Richmond unhoused youth and one unit for a resident manager, subject to the terms of the lease amendment.
On October 2, 2024, Richmond Police Activities League, a California public benefit corporation (RPAL) entered into a sub-lease agreement with Tiny Village Spirit to create and operate a Tiny House Village and related structures necessary to operate the Village upon a portion of the property to house and serve homeless youth as described in the First Amendment to the Lease (Attachment 2).
On October 3, 2024, Tiny Village Spirit (TVS), a California public benefit corporation (RPAL) entered into the Richmond Tiny House Village Supportive Services Agreement with Contra Costa Interfaith Transitional Housing, Inc. (dba Hope Solutions) to provide property management and supportive services to the residents of the project (Attachment 4).
On October 4, 2024, the Richmond Police Activities League (RPAL), Tiny Village Spirit (TVS), Hope Solutions, and Safe Organized Spaces-Richmond (SOS) entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to construct, provide property management, and supportive services to the residents of the Tiny House Village Project (Attachment 3).
On January 7, 2025, City Council approved a request to grant $300,000 to assist with remaining capital and operating costs for the Tiny House Village and directed staff to prepare a contract and any other necessary agreements in support of the project funding. The $103,000 portion of the funds will be used for the payment of the three-unit restroom trailer and deck materials and the final yurt payment. All payments from the City to Hope Solutions for the Tiny Villages will be on a reimbursement basis.
Expense Amount Narrative City Payment Disbursement
$103,000 Three (3) Unit Restroom Trailer
Restroom Trailer Deck
Final Payment for Yurt
Reimbursement
$197,000 Operating Cost Reimbursement
$300,000 Total
Total development costs are estimated at $978,912. Therefore, TVS will be responsible for raising approximately $875,000 to cover the estimated development costs. To date TVS has commitments of approximately $388,000 in funding, which includes $103,000 from the proposed City grant. TVS will therefore need commitments for an additional
March 25, 2025
$592,000 for project completion. TVS is leading the fundraising effort and expects to have all funding, whether in cash, donated materials, and/or labor to complete the project.
The development of this Tiny House Village has been moving forward with support from the City Council, City staff, and various volunteers throughout the community. The village is adjacent to what will become the RPAL Farm and Garden project. The program participants, ages 18-24, who will be living in the village will be identified through the County’s Coordinated Entry System and will be provided safe shelter.
Another six (6) tiny houses are planned to be constructed in the future as funding is obtained to expand.
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
Development of the Tiny House Village is in alignment with the City of Richmond Homeless Strategic Plan, adopted by the City Council on May 23, 2023. Goal 2: Create temporary supportive housing (such as transitional villages and safe parking sites) and expand and sustain permanent supportive and affordable long-term housing. Short - Term Action Step 2.3 Identify vacant or underutilized properties to create permanent supportive housing or develop other affordable housing for extremely low-income households. The Tiny House Village is a creative project that will provide housing for homeless youth and provide supportive services on an underutilized site.
CONCLUSION:
Community Development staff recommend that the City Council approve the Grant Services Agreement with Contra Costa Interfaith Transitional Housing, Inc. (dba Hope Solutions) for a not to exceed grant amount of $300,000 to provide capital and supportive services for the Richmond Tiny House Village Farm and Garden project at 175 23rd Street for a term extending through December 31, 2025 (Attachment 4).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Signed Sublease Agreement by and between Richmond Police Activities League (RPAL) and Tiny Village Spirit (TVS)
Organized Spaces-Richmond (SOS)
Attachment 2 – Richmond Tiny House Village Supportive Services Agreement by and between TVS and Hope Solutions formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Transitional Housing, Inc.
Attachment 3 – Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Richmond Police Activities League (RPAL), Tiny Village Spirit (TVS), Hope Solutions, and Safe Attachment 4 – Grant Services Agreement with Contra Costa Interfaith Transitional Housing, Inc. (dba Hope Solutions)