City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: MARCH 19, 2024 FROM: HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES WARD: 1
SUBJECT: APPROVE SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENTS FOR THE HOMELESS HOUSING, ASSISTANCE, AND PREVENTION PROGRAM WITH PATH OF LIFE MINISTRIES TO COVER THE EMERGENCY SHELTER PROGRAM OPERATION COSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF: (1) $1,006,378 FROM ROUND 1, 2 AND 3 GRANT FUNDS FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1, 2024 – JUNE 30, 2024, AND (2) $1,262,700 FROM ROUND 1 AND 3 GRANT FUNDS FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2024 – JUNE 30, 2025 ISSUES:
Approve the Subrecipient Agreements for the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program with Path of Life Ministries to cover the Emergency Shelter Program operations costs in the amount of:
$1,006,378 from Round 1, 2 and 3 grant funds for the period of January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024; and $1,262,700 from Round 1 and 3 grant funds for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve a Subrecipient Agreement for the Homeless Housing Assistance, and Prevention Program Round 1, 2 and 3 with Path of Life Ministries to cover the Emergency Shelter Program operations costs in the amount of $1,006,378 for the period of January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024; Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to sign the Subrecipient Agreement for the Homeless, Housing Assistance, and Prevention Program Round 1, 2 and 3 with Path of Life Ministries, including making minor and non-substantive changes; Approve a Subrecipient Agreement for the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program with Path of Life Ministries to cover the Emergency Shelter Program operations costs in the amount of $1,262,700 for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to sign the Subrecipient Agreement for the Homeless, Housing Assistance, and Prevention Program Round 1 and 3 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. On January 1, 2023, an additional 30 beds were added for Riverside residents increasing the total number of beds reserved to 45. These beds were only funded for a 12-month period.
Below is a breakdown of City funding provided to POLM during the last two fiscal years:
Date
Funding Source
Amount
Term
2/8/2023
Emergency Solutions Grant FY 2022/2023
$161,336.40
July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023
3/8/2023
Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Round 1 (30 dedicated beds) $876,000.00
January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
11/28/2023
Community Development Block Grant FY 2023/2024
$90,000.00
July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
11/28/2023
HHAP Round 1 Youth Set-aside (8 dedicated beds)
$233,600
December 1, 2023 – November 30, 2024
2/12/2024
Emergency Solutions Grant FY 2023/2024
$153,240
July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
DISCUSSION:
POLM reached out to the City with a funding request to cover the Emergency Shelter Program operation funding gap due to their organization no longer receiving COVID related grants and experiencing an increase in materials and service costs.
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.
To meet the needs of our houseless neighbors in the City of Riverside by purchasing dedicated emergency shelter beds and assist POLM with their FY 2023/2024 Emergency Shelter Program operations funding gap, staff is recommending allocating $1,006,378 to cover operations costs for January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024. This funding allocation will be provided through the City’s HHAP Round 1, 2 and 3 grant funds and will increase the City’s dedicated shelter beds with Path of Life from 30 to 60.
To ensure the City has 60 dedicated shelter beds in FY 2024/2025 that includes 15 covenant shelter beds, staff is recommending allocating $1,262,700 to cover the Emergency Shelter Program operation costs for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. This funding allocation will be provided through the City’s HHAP Round 1 and 3 grant funds. Eight (8) shelter beds of the 60 beds will be reserved for Transitional Aged Youth.
To help increase the outcomes of the Emergency Shelter Program, POLM has proposed the following:
Collaborating with California Workforce Development Board in a $3,500,000 grant to improve income for formerly incarcerated citizens in the Inland Region. Of this grant, $750,000 is to assist 35 shelter guests with educational certification and employability during FY 2024/2025.
In execution stage with IEHP for an Enhanced Care Management contract to address clinical and non-clinical needs of Medi-Cal eligible shelter guests. On-site nurse practitioner, community health worker, and dedicated housing navigation are included. This ECM contract will immediately connect shelter guests to their medical services, including psychiatric and mental health needs.
Increase case management staff to adjust ratio of staff/guest services. Currently, POLM case management and client ratio is 1/30. Their target ratio is 1/20. Additionally, they have increased job description requirements to include a college degree or certification in a social science related field of expertise.
Secured primary lease partnerships with a local investment company to secure housing for shelter guests with income. POLM stands as the lessee/tenant thereby taking the risk with the property owner for occupants who do not otherwise qualify to sign a lease agreement. They currently have six (6) units in inventory.
Re-enter the Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Program opportunities. They elected to suspend these programs three (3) years ago due to ethical concerns over the success of RRH and retraumatizing those who exited back to the outdoors when their RRH funding ended.
POLM has created a new internal policy to use RRH alongside shelter guests with the greatest potential for self-sustaining housing after 24 months. Their new policy will screen candidates for RRH program success and include intense case management for those enrolled in RRH.
Path of Life will enter a more robust partnership with Pacific Grove Hospital for shelter guests who can enroll in Outpatient Behavioral, Counseling and Sobriety Services. This Outpatient Clinic can also offer housing services to those with private insurance or Medi care.
Path of Life will continue to prioritize Riverside residents or those with strong ties to Riverside for enrollment in the shelter.
Path of Life will re-vitalize conversations with neighboring cities for exit plans and transportation back to a home-city for those not from Riverside.
Path of life will improve warm-hand off relationships for those exiting the shelter without housing. When a shelter guest exits without housing, we will contact the agency that brought the person for services and ask them to re-enroll the person in their services. This provides a safety net for further navigation towards stability.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well-Being, Goal No. 2.2, collaborate with partner agencies to improve household resiliency and reduce the incidence and duration of homelessness.
This item 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 population 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 HHAP-1, HHAP-2, and HHAP-3 grant funds to support the City of Riverside dedicated shelter beds alleviating pressure on City financial resources.
Innovation – Riverside is innovative 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 preserve, adapt and grow during good and difficult times alike.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of this action is $2,269,078. Funds for FY 2023/24 are budgeted and available as indicated in the table below. Fiscal Year 2024/25 budget amounts will be programmed in and presented to Council in Housing & Human Services’ budget for adoption in June 2024.
Fund
Program
Account
FY 2023/24
FY 2024/25
Development Grants
HHAP-1
9341810-440210
$86,860.40
-
HHAP-1 TAY
9341880-440210
-
$127,200.00
HHAP-2
9343220-440210
$124,000.00
-
HHAP-2
9343230-440210
$557,268.90
-
HHAP-3
9344430-440210
$238,248.70
$1,135,500.00
Total
$1,006,378.00
$1,262,700.00
Prepared by: Michelle Davis, Housing and Human Services Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Subrecipient Agreement for the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Round 1, 2,and 3 with Path of Life Ministries Subrecipient Agreement for the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Round 1 and 3 with Path of Life Ministries Subrecipient Agreements with Path of Life for Emergency Shelter Operations FY 2023/24 and 2024/25 ● Page 2