City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: FEBRUARY 28, 2023 FROM: OFFICE OF HOMELESS SOLUTIONS WARDS: 1
SUBJECT: APPROVE A SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT FOR THE HOMELESS, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, AND PREVENTION PROGRAM ROUND 2 WITH PATH OF LIFE MINISTRIES IN THE AMOUNT OF $876,000 AND ADD 10 ADDITIONAL DEDICATED CITY OF RIVERSIDE BEDS ISSUE:
Approve a Subrecipient Agreement for the Homeless, Housing Assistance, and Prevention Program Round 2 with Path of Life Ministries in the amount of $876,000 and add 10 additional dedicated City of Riverside beds.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve a new Subrecipient Agreement for the Homeless, Housing Assistance, and Prevention Program Round 2 with Path of Life Ministries in the amount of $876,000 and add 10 additional dedicated beds; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Subrecipient Agreement for the Homeless, Housing Assistance, and Prevention Program Round 2 with Path of Life Ministries including making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
Path of Life Ministries (POLM) operates a 90-bed community shelter, a 24-hour operation that includes three meals per day, a secure environment, and case management for each guest at the Hulen Campus in the City of Riverside. The partnership between POLM and the City of Riverside was established in 2005 when the shelter moved into the Hulen Campus, and an agreement and covenant against the property was recorded for 15 dedicated beds for the City of Riverside residents provided free of charge. As time passed, the City realized additional beds were necessary to accommodate the target population. An additional 20 beds were added for Riverside residents increasing the total number of beds reserved to 35.
The City of Riverside, along with the entire county, is witnessing an increase in homelessness due to affordable housing shortages and other social constructs which compound homelessness. The need for shelter space continues to grow. To meet the needs of our houseless neighbors in the City of Riverside, additional dedicated beds are needed from POLM.
On December 6, 2021, the City entered into an Emergency Solutions Grant – CARES Act Allocation Round 2 Subrecipient Agreement for the allocation of $365,00 that helped pay for 20 out of 35 dedicated shelter beds for the City.
DISCUSSION:
According to 2021-2022 data captured from the Riverside County Continuum of Care Homeless Management Information System, 72% of individuals utilizing shelter services at POLM identified as Riverside residents compared to 28% from other cities. In securing additional beds, City outreach and the Public Safety and Engagement Team will harness the ability to place more individuals into dedicated beds rather than compete with other regions to place individuals in emergency shelters.
Our houseless neighbors throughout the City of Riverside require a safe space to shelter while they work toward milestone goals. Staff approached POLM to inquire about the possibility of securing additional dedicated shelter beds for the Public Safety and Engagement Team and City Outreach teams to connect homeless individuals while conducting street outreach. After discussion, POLM agreed to dedicate an additional 10 beds for the City increasing total dedicated beds to 45. The opportunity to increase dedicated bed space at POLM to accommodate the growing need for shelter beds is critical in supporting our unhoused population.
The City of Riverside intends to reserve 30 beds at a rate of $80 per night for 365 days in the total amount of $876,000 while the remaining 15 beds are free to the City. This contrasts with our previous bed rate of $50 per night for 20 beds. The $30 increase per bed per night is to keep in alignment with trends in the industry to ensure that staff have access to a living wage. POLM has seen its staff cost rise to keep in alignment with national trends and ensure they maintain adequate staffing at the facility. This will bring the new dedicated bed total to 45, which is 16,425 bed-nights annually for a grand total annual cost of $876,000.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The addition of dedicated shelter beds at POLM aligns with Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well-Being and Goal 2.5. – Foster relationships between community members, partners organizations, and public safety professionals to define, prioritize, and address community safety and social service needs.
The Project aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – Activities and actions by the City serve the public interest, benefit the City’s diverse populations, and result in greater public good.
Equity – All individuals will be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion regardless of the circumstances, ability, or identity.
Fiscal Responsibility – The City will utilize Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) 2 grant funds to support City of Riverside dedicated shelter beds alleviating pressure on City financial resources.
Innovation – Riverside is inventive and timely in meeting the community’s changing needs and prepares for the future through collaborative partnerships and adaptive processes that benefits a broad resident base.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Riverside is committed to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future and ensuring the City’s capacity to persevere, adapt and grow during good and difficult times alike.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $876,000. Funds are budgeted and available in the Development Grants Fund, HHAP2 Emergency Shelter Project account number 9343220-440210.
Prepared by: Lorissa Villarreal, Officer of Homeless Solutions Availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Subrecipient Agreement for the Homeless, Housing Assistance, and Prevention Program Round 2 with Path of Life Ministries.
Presentation
Properties with Rental Housing Affordability Covenants in the City of Riverside Update ● Page 3