September 2, 2025
TO: City Council
REQUESTED BY: Cynthia Espinosa, Administrative Analyst
APPROVED BY: Robert A. Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: ERF-3-L Grant Agreement with County of Riverside and Workforce Solutions
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to sign the ERF-3-L grant agreement amendment.
DISCUSSION:
Homelessness is a multifaceted socio-economic challenge that resonates across communities nationwide. The effectiveness of available resources hinges on the strategic implementation of a meticulous process. Together, we must celebrate incremental strides to foster sustained commitment to the overarching objectives of stabilizing addiction and mental health support, securing housing, enhancing job readiness, ensuring steady income, and elevating the overall quality of life. Since February 2017, the City of San Jacinto has diligently taken these incremental steps, establishing a foundation for a sustainable program.
A significant hurdle has been securing ongoing funding for a ground-level initiative capable of providing comprehensive "wrap-around" services to those identified by the HARP Program. The City has actively participated in Continuum of Care and homeless outreach meetings sponsored by Supervisor Washington's office. Additionally, City staff underwent restructuring to accommodate the new Community Outreach Program (COP) named Ignite San Jacinto.
Ignite San Jacinto encompasses various programs, including HEAL, social media health and awareness campaigns, and the pursuit of grant funding for community projects focused on health-related issues. These initiatives range from building and operating community gardens and obtaining a national fitness court to park improvements, and developing outreach programs for the homeless and at-risk populations, emphasizing social, emotional, and mental wellness.
Addressing homelessness emerged as a top priority through the Measure V ballot measure campaign and the community needs assessment. Measure V facilitated the identification and onboarding of a subject matter expert to spearhead San Jacinto's efforts toward addressing homelessness and at-risk population issues, giving rise to the Homeless and At-Risk Population Outreach Program (HARP Outreach). Collaborating with City Net for critical street outreach and housing case management, the City has witnessed a positive impact.
Grant money has been an essential funding mechanism for HARP to continue expanding services and reduce the impact on the general fund. The City of San Jacinto received funding in 2024 through the ERF-3-L (ERF) Grant in the amount of $682,753 for eligible uses to mitigate the effects of the County of Riverside’s outreach to homeless encampments located within the San Jacinto Riverbed. The ERF grant expanded services to lessen the impact on the team already in place adding additional two City Net case managers to offset the impact on the already existing team that works in the City limits.
HARP's success is evident in surpassing the target of 150 individuals outlined for prior ESG-CV funding. In 2022, CityNet made 553 contacts, engaged 159 individuals, and housed 70 individuals. As of April 2024, CityNet made 819 contacts, enrolled 310 clients in services, and assisted 152 people exits San Jacinto streets in FY 23-24.
The County of Riverside has requested some changes in wording to the current contract. is Amendment No. 2 to HWSCoC-0004920 for Encampment Resolution Funding 3-L related to the San Jacinto River Bottom project. The amendment includes the following revisions:
• Updates to the Conduct of Contractor/Conflict of Interest section • Removal of unnecessary language from the Advance provision • Updates to the budget categories in the budget table in Schedule A, Payment Provisions, aligning them with the State’s approved categories FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this item has no fiscal impact, as both the grant revenue and City Net expenses were budgeted.