July 1, 2025
TO: City Council
REQUESTED BY: Cynthia Espinosa, Administrative Analyst
APPROVED BY: Robert A. Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: City Net PSA Renewal for Street Outreach and Emergency Shelter RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council approve the FY 2025-2026 professional services agreement with City Net to provide comprehensive street outreach and emergency hotel services, and authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement.
BACKGROUND:
The City of San Jacinto has had an on-going desire to reduce the effect of the homeless and atrisk population in the community. Upon hiring City Manager Robert Johnson in February of 2017, the City Council gave direction to begin the process of identifying resources and programs that could be used to make a difference.
Homelessness is a complex, socio-economic issue that touches communities across the nation.
The amount of resources available are only as good as the deployment of a methodical process. Together, incremental steps must be celebrated to encourage continued participation of theultimate goals of stabilizing addiction and mental health support, housing, job readiness, steady income, and improved quality of life.
To that end and since February of 2017, the City of San Jacinto has been taking those incremental steps to form a foundation, or a base, to begin implementing a program that will be sustainable. The most significant challenge has been identifying on-going funding for a “boots on the ground” style program that would be able to offer “wrap around” services to those identified by the HARP Program.
In June 2017, the City Council approved the addition of three (3) Code Enforcement Officers (CEOs) and a supervisor to begin a robust code enforcement division. Additionally, the Council added two new Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Sheriff Deputies to begin addressing quality oflife issues on a number of levels. The CEOs have worked in tandem with the POP team to tackle issues inside the city limits like vagrancy, homelessness, illegal dumping, providing businesses assistance with private property issues, removing panhandlers from public right of way, and graffiti removal on private property, among others.
Early in 2018, the City Manager and then Mayor Crystal Ruiz met with representatives of the City of Temecula to learn about the programming and partnerships with CityNet that were successful in meeting the needs of those affected by homelessness and the at-risk population.
At that time, the cost for an outreach program plus “wrap around” services (mental health services, addiction assistance, job readiness, and case management) was cost-prohibitive ($12,000 per month/$144,000 annually) to the City.
The City began to participate in the Continuum of Care and other homeless outreach meetings sponsored by Supervisor Washington’s office, as well as re-organizing City staff to include a new Community Outreach Program (COP) named Ignite San Jacinto. Several community outreach programs make up the City’s “Ignite San Jacinto” program: HEAL; the City’s social media platform, which focuses on the “be healthy, be well, be San Jacinto” motto; and, identifying, applying and securing grant funding for community projects focused on healthrelated issues (Community Garden, National Fitness Court, park improvements, developing homeless/at-risk outreach program, and promoting social, emotional and mental wellness).
One of the top priorities that was cemented through the Measure V campaign and the community needs assessment survey was addressing homelessness. Through the passage of Measure V, the City was able to identify and hire an expert in the field to focus San Jacinto’s efforts to the homeless and at-risk population issues within the city limits. The City’s Homeless, At-Risk Population Outreach Program (HARP Outreach) was born.
City Net’s role as our outreach provider has been instrumental in helping the City qualify for critical grant funding opportunities such as the Homeless Incentive Infrastructure Program (HIIP) and the Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF). These funds not only offset costs that would otherwise impact the General Fund, but they also allow us to expand much-needed services beyond our city limits—particularly into the unincorporated areas along the San Jacinto River. Without this program and partnership, the individuals in those areas would continue to have a direct impact on our city’s resources and services, as they often migrate into city limits seeking assistance. City Net’s consistent engagement and data-driven approach help us demonstrate need, secure funding, and address homelessness more effectively across jurisdictional boundaries.
DISCUSSION:
In total for fiscal year 2024-2025, City Net made 1,629 contacts, enrolled 129 clients in services, and 48 of those individuals were serviced by the City’s motel program and exited the streets of San Jacinto.
Through City Nets outreach services over 150 police calls for service have been diverted, and 619 one on one case manager hours have been performed. This data shows the positive impact that the program has delivered.
The services provided by City Net have been instrumental in addressing the critical needs of homeless and at-risk individuals within San Jacinto’s community. The continuation of this contract will continue to offer hope and stability to the most vulnerable members in San Jacinto, and contribute to the overall positive well-being and quality of life of residents.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for the City Net contract in an amount not to exceed $616,313.02 is included in the FY2025-2026 budget, Account No. 010-9500-950.34-05.
ATTACHMENTS:
SJO City Net SOE_BH 5 rooms budget FYE26 4.30.2025.xlsx