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CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: June 18, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Bill Gallardo, Interim City Manager;
Gabriel Elliott, Director of Community Development & Housing Department: Community Development & Housing
Subject: Award a Homeless Resource Services Agreement with Benjamin E. Jones Community Resource Center for
Rapid Rehousing Services in an Amount Not to Exceed
$600,000 Through the Encampment Resolution Fund
(ERF-3-R) Program (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a Homeless Resource Services Agreement with Benjamin E. Jones Community Resource Center in an amount not to exceed $600,000 for housing placement services under the Rapid Rehousing Program, and to take any additional actions, including future amendments, necessary to carry out the terms and objectives of the agreement.
Executive Summary
The City of San Bernardino is launching its Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Program through the Encampment Resolution Fund Round 3 (ERF-3-R) to transition 60 individuals from the prioritized 5.2-mile encampment along Waterman Avenue into permanent housing.
A total of $1,392,432 in grant funds has been allocated across two key components: a Procured Subcontractor funded at $600,000 for housing placement services including case management, housing navigation, and landlord engagement; and a Rental Assistance and Landlord Incentives component funded at $792,432 for direct rental subsidies and landlord incentives. Following a competitive Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) process, the nonprofit Benjamin E. Jones was selected for its experience, readiness, and adherence to Housing First principles. Staff is seeking Council authorization to allow the City Manager to execute a Homeless Resource Services Agreement for permanent housing services component, with program operations scheduled to begin on June 18, 2025, and continue through June 30, 2027, as part of the City's broader effort to reduce unsheltered homelessness. 2 6
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Background
The Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF), established under Senate Bill (SB) 197 and funded through SB 101, is a state initiative designed to support targeted interventions for individuals residing in encampments. On April 18, 2024, the City of San Bernardino was awarded $4,569,511 through ERF-3-R to implement a comprehensive strategy addressing homelessness along the 5.2-mile encampment corridor on Waterman Avenue.
As part of this encampment resolution strategy, the City allocated a portion of its ERF- 3-R funds to establish a Rapid Rehousing Program to meet the urgent need for permanent housing solutions and alleviate pressure on its homelessness resources. A NOFA was released on January 21, 2025, and remained open for 37 days, closing on February 26, 2025. The City was searching for a qualified subcontractor with experience in rapid rehousing. Following a screening and evaluation process, the nonprofit organization Benjamin E. Jones was selected to lead the effort to transition 60 individuals into permanent housing.
Chronology of Key Events
Nov 27, 2023 – The California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) released the ERF Round 3 NOFA, totaling $400 million statewide. Feb 1, 2023 – The Mayor and City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-028, declaring a Homelessness State of Emergency.
Dec 2023 – The City’s outreach team identified approximately 200 individuals living in the prioritized encampment area.
Jan 30, 2024 – The City submitted its ERF-3-R application to Cal ICH. Apr 18, 2024 – The City was awarded $4,569,511 in ERF-3-R funding. Sep 4, 2024 – Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-201, reaffirming the Homelessness State of Emergency and granting the City Manager authority to pursue contracts and funding.
Dec 4, 2024 – Council approved acceptance of ERF-3-R funds and the City’s implementation plan, including the issuance of a NOFA for Rapid Rehousing. Jan 21, 2025 – The City released its Rapid Rehousing NOFA, outlining eligibility, scope of work, and funding priorities.
Feb 19, 2025 – A public hearing was conducted to solicit community input on the proposed Rapid Rehousing NOFA under the Encampment Resolution Fund initiative.
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Jan 21–Feb 26, 2025 – The NOFA was publicized through newspapers, the City website, email outreach, and social media.
Feb 26, 2025 – The application window closed; proposals were reviewed per evaluation criteria.
Mar 26, 2025 – Finalist interviews were conducted. Benjamin E. Jones was selected for the award based on qualifications and evaluation scores.
Discussion
ERF-3-R provides a strategic opportunity for the City to address unsheltered homelessness using targeted, data-driven interventions. A core component of the City’s ERF-3-R implementation is the Rapid Rehousing Program, which focuses on permanently housing 60 individuals from the prioritized 5.2-mile encampment.
Funding Authorization
The proposed $1,392,432 allocation for the Rapid Rehousing Program—consisting of $600,000 for the Homeless Resource Services Agreement with Benjamin E. Jones and $792,432 for rental assistance and landlord incentives—was not specifically itemized when the City Council approved acceptance of the total ERF-3-R grant award of $4,569,511 on December 4, 2024, through Resolution No. 2024-230. While the original December action accepted the grant without detailing specific contract or subcontractor allocations, the execution of contracts under this grant falls within previously authorized funding levels and does not require additional budget appropriations.
Program Structure
The Rapid Rehousing Program consists of two key components:
1. Procured Subcontractor (Housing Placement Services) – $600,000 The City’s Housing and Homelessness Division initiated a competitive procurement process to identify a qualified subcontractor capable of providing RRH services in alignment with Housing First principles, funding requirements, and City objectives. The NOFA was broadly advertised through bilingual newspaper notices, direct emails to service providers, City website postings, and social media outreach.
All submitted proposals were evaluated by a multidisciplinary panel using standardized scoring criteria, which included:
Organizational qualifications and staffing capacity
Experience serving chronically homeless and high-barrier populations Landlord engagement capabilities
Grant administration and data management using the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
Financial capacity and internal controls
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Following the proposal review, the two highest-scoring applicants were interviewed.
Benjamin E. Jones was selected due to its demonstrated organizational readiness, client-centered approach, and history of successfully administering similar programs.
Under the forthcoming Homeless Resource Services Agreement, Benjamin E. Jones will receive $600,000 to deliver housing placement services, including eligibility assessments, housing plans, case management, housing search and placement, lease-up assistance, and landlord engagement. The subcontractor will ensure that individuals receive personalized support throughout the rehousing process and have access to necessary resources to sustain their housing. Benjamin E. Jones will also ensure compliance with data and performance tracking through HMIS.
2. Rental Assistance and Landlord Incentives – $792,432 This component provides financial assistance to secure housing and incentivize landlord participation, including:
• Rental Subsidies – $693,378: Covers six months of rent and security deposits for program participants, calculated based on local Fair Market Rents (FMR):
54 one-bedroom units at $1,611 per month for 6 months ($608,958) 6 two-bedroom units at $2,010 per month for 6 months ($84,420) • Landlord Incentives – $99,054: One-time incentives paid to landlords as an additional incentive for negotiating permanent housing placements, equivalent to up to one month's rent per vacant unit held based on Fair Market Rents ($1,611 per one- bedroom unit; $2,010 per two-bedroom unit)
These efforts are intended to facilitate housing placements and support long-term stability for individuals exiting the Waterman Avenue encampment.
Although the original December 2024 Council action accepting the ERF-3-R grant did not include a breakdown of specific subcontractor allocations, the execution of this Homeless Resource Services Agreement for Rapid Rehousing services falls within the total grant amount previously authorized by the Council and does not require additional budget appropriations.
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Project Timeline and Compliance Requirements
Contract Term: June 18, 2025 – June 30, 2027
Fund Obligation Deadline: All ERF-3-R funds must be obligated by June 30, 2025
Rental Period: Up to six months of rental subsidies (no extensions or escalations allowed)
The Rapid Rehousing Program is one component of a broader strategy to transition 110 individuals from homelessness through:
Permanent housing (RRH)
Interim shelter and mobile services
Prevention and diversion initiatives
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
The ERF project aligns with Strategic Target No. 3: Improved Quality of Life, by expanding accessibility to housing and services, improving living conditions for the unhoused population, and positively impacting the community Fiscal Impact
There is no General Fund impact with this item. The Rapid Rehousing Program consists of two components totaling $1,392,432 in ERF-3-R grant funding previously accepted by the City Council on December 4, 2024, via Resolution No. 2024-230:
1. Procured Subcontractor (Housing Placement Services) - $600,000: Funding for the proposed Homeless Resource Services Agreement with Benjamin E. Jones will support housing placement services, including case management, housing navigation, landlord engagement, and linkage to supportive services.
2. Rental Assistance and Landlord Incentives - $792,432: This component provides direct financial assistance, including $693,378 for six months of rental subsidies and security deposits based on local Fair Market Rents (54 one-bedroom units at $1,611/month and 6 two-bedroom units at $2,010/month), and $99,054 for one-time landlord incentives equivalent to up to one month's rent per unit to encourage permanent housing placements.
ERF-3: Rapid RehousingTotal BudgetDelivery of Permanent Housing (Procured Subcontractor)$600,000Procured Subcontractor Contract (Housing Placement Services)$600,000Rapid Rehousing - Rental Assistance and Landlord Incentives$792,43254 One-Bedroom Housing Units (Rental Assistance)$608,9586 Two-Bedroom Housing Units (Rental Assistance)$84,420Landlord Incentives for 60 Housing Placements$99,054Grand Total$1,392,432 2 6
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Combined, these activities represent a total of $1,392,432 in ERF-3-R grant funding previously appropriated for this purpose; therefore, no new appropriation is required.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a Homeless Resource Services Agreement with Benjamin E. Jones in an amount not to exceed $600,000 for housing placement services under the Rapid Rehousing Program, and to take any additional actions, including future amendments, necessary to carry out the terms and objectives of the agreement.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Homeless Resource Services Agreement with Benjamin E. Jones Attachment 2 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) ERF-3 Rapid Rehousing Attachment 3 ERF Standard Agreement Contract
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
December 4, 2024 Approval of the Encampment Resolution Fund grant in the amount of $4,569,511.
February 19, 2025 Public Hearing was conducted to solicit community input on the proposed Notice of Funding Availability
(NOFA) for the Rapid Rehousing Program under the
Encampment Resolution Fund initiative