10/31/2025
1 RiversideCA.gov1
RiversideCA.gov
REALLOCATE FUNDING TO AN EMERGENCY FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMCity Council November 4, 2025HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES RiversideCA.gov2
Many households, including seniors and low-income individuals, are expected to experience financial hardship due to delayed or reduced income and interruptions in federal assistance programs. Notably, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are projected to lapse on Saturday, November 1stbecause of the continuing shutdown, leaving many vulnerable households without critical food support.BACKGROUND 10/31/2025
2 RiversideCA.gov3
1. Reallocation of $100,000 from the Senior Supplemental Rental Assistance Program to The Salvation Army Emergency Food Access Program 2. Verification requirementsa. City of Riverside residentsb. SNAPS beneficiariesc. Federal employeesDISCUSSION RiversideCA.gov4
•Senior Supplemental Rental Assistance (SSRA) Program currently has an account balance of $525,423.52•Proposed reallocation of $100,000, which would have assisted a minimum of six seniors currently residing in a city shelter, will not negatively impact service delivery, as those individuals may still receive assistance through the City’s HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program -Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program. FISCAL IMPACT 10/31/2025
3 RiversideCA.gov5
Utility Assistance ProgramsRiverside Public Utilities offers programs that its customers may also utilize during this time:•SHARE(Sharing Households Assist Riverside’s Energy) •Monthly Bill Credit •$250 emergency assistance if facing utility disconnection•Repayment Program: Allows customers up to 12-months to repay an outstanding bill to avoid disconnection•Promise to Pay: One-time short-term delay in payment of depending on need for those not requiring a payment plan RiversideCA.gov6
1. Approve reallocating $100,000 from the Senior Supplemental Rental Assistance Program to The Salvation Army Emergency Food Access Program to provide food assistance to City of Riverside residents who are participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and federal employees financially impacted by the federal government shutdown; and 2. Approve a Professional Consulting Services Agreement with The Salvation Army for the expansion of the Emergency Food Access Program, and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Agreement to be prepared by the City Attorney’s Office, including making minor and non-substantive changes. 3. With at least five affirmative votes, approve a carryover of unexpended funds of $100,000 from Fiscal Year 2024/25 in the General Fund, Senior Supplemental Rental Assistance Program account into Fiscal Year 2025/26; and4. Authorize the City Manager or designee, to execute the Professional Consulting Services Agreement with The Salvation Army, including making minor and non-substantive changes.RECOMMENDATIONS