October 21, 2025
City Manager's Office
DATE: October 21, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Shasa Curl, City Manager
Lina Velasco, Director of Community Development
Gabino Arredondo, Project Manager
Subject:
Expansion of Scope of Services for Immigrant Legal
Services and Public Awareness Campaign Program
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact beyond the previously authorized $1 million allocation. This action expands the eligible uses of the allocated funds.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
July 1, 2025
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City Council allocated $1 million of general funds to support immigrant legal services and public awareness
campaigns. As contracts for these services are
implemented, community needs related to income
instability have emerged, including the need for limited emergency flex funds needed to maintain housing and
stability. Staff is requesting Council authorization to expand the program’s eligible use of funds to include
emergency flex funds to provide food, utility, and rental assistance support for immigrant families facing hardship.
AGENDA
REPORT
October 21, 2025
RECOMMENDED ACTION: AUTHORIZE the expansion of the scope of services eligible for funding under the Immigrant Legal Services and Public Awareness Campaign (ILSPAC) program to
include emergency flex funds for services such as rental, utility and food assistance; and AUTHORIZE the City
Manager or designee to negotiate the added scope of
services with the ILSCAP Request For Proposals (RFP)
selected respondents – City Manager’s Office (Gabino
Arredondo 620-6606).
DISCUSSION:
Background
The City Council approved a $1 million allocation to establish a program providing immigrant legal services and public awareness campaigns ($990,000) and support for the City’s Municipal ID Program ($10,000). The goal of the initiative is to increase access to immigration legal representation, education, and outreach for Richmond residents. Following a third competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process with a submittal deadline of August 18, 2025, three (3) nonprofit organizations have been selected to provide legal assistance, outreach, and public awareness:
Organization Recommended
Grant Award
Amount
Focus Area
East Bay Sanctuary
Covenant (EBSC)
$323,118.66 Immigrant Legal Services - Affirmative &
Legal Defense, 2 Years
Catholic Charities
East Bay
$394,225.26 Immigrant Legal Services - Affirmative
Only plus Public Awareness Campaign
and Outreach, 1 Year
Multicultural
Institute (MI)
$130,000.00 Public Awareness Campaign and
Outreach, 1 Year
The above selected consultants are in the process of executing the contracts. After contract execution, the City will announce the program launch to the Richmond community.
Scope of Services Expansion
Through outreach efforts during the RFP process with service providers and current news of separation of family members that contributed to household income, City staff has found that some immigrant families face immediate crises that threaten housing stability, due to loss of income, inability to pay rent, utilities, and food. These challenges directly impact participation in the legal and outreach services the program is designed to deliver.
October 21, 2025
Expanding the scope of eligible uses for the funds allows contracted service providers to deliver limited, short-term emergency support to immigrant families experiencing instability. This expansion would not alter the overall funding amount but would broaden the allowable use of funds with selected service providers if they have the capacity (~$142,656 unallocated). RFP respondents included in their responses that they have the experience of referring residents to such programs and managing financial assistance programs.
Examples of eligible expenses may include:
Emergency food assistance or grocery gift cards for low-income immigrant households;
Short-term rent assistance to prevent eviction or utility payment assistance to avoid disconnection of utilities.
Allowing this flexibility aligns with the program’s original intent — to promote community stability, protect immigrant families, and enhance access to trusted services. City staff will require service providers to document assistance provided, ensure compliance with all reporting requirements, and prioritize households with demonstrated need and Richmond residency.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Request for Proposals