Community Development Agency
www.santa-ana.gov/cd
Item # 11
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
October 20, 2026
TOPIC: Street Outreach, Engagement, and Detox Services for Unhoused Individuals
AGENDA TITLE
Agreement with Kingdom Causes, Inc., dba City Net for Street Outreach, Engagement, and Substance Abuse Services for Unhoused Individuals (Specification No. 26-068A) (Non-General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Kingdom Causes, Inc., dba City Net to provide street outreach, engagement, and substance abuse services for unhoused individuals in an amount of $3,500,000 per year, for a term beginning December 17, 2026 and expiring December 16, 2027, with provision for one 1-year extension in a total amount not to exceed $7,000,000 (Agreement No. A-2026-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
The City of Santa Ana continues to prioritize a coordinated and comprehensive response to homelessness that connects individuals experiencing homelessness with appropriate shelter, housing, treatment, and supportive services. Street outreach and engagement are critical components of the City’s homeless response system because they provide a direct point of contact with individuals living in unsheltered conditions who may not otherwise access available services. Consistent and proactive outreach allows trained staff to build relationships, assess individual needs and barriers, provide immediate assistance, and connect individuals to resources intended to support stabilization and pathways toward permanent housing.
On May 28, 2026, the City issued Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 26-068A to competitively procure qualified professional services for street outreach, engagement, case management, housing navigation, and detoxification services for individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Ana.
The services sought through the RFP are intended to maintain a responsive, non-lawenforcement resource for addressing non-emergency homeless-related concerns throughout Santa Ana. The program provides outreach and engagement in response to requests received through the MySantaAna application, non-emergency homelessrelated calls received by the Santa Ana Police Department, priority requests from City staff, and other outreach referrals. In addition to responding to community requests, the Street Outreach, Engagement and Detox Services for Unhoused Individuals October 20, 2026
program is designed to provide ongoing case management, transportation assistance, connections to shelter and supportive services, assistance obtaining identification and other vital documents, and housing navigation for individuals experiencing homelessness.
The RFP also combines the City’s existing street outreach model with its detoxification services to better align the continuum of care. Substance use can present an additional barrier to stabilization, treatment, shelter placement, and housing for some individuals experiencing homelessness. Under the proposed program, outreach staff will be able to connect eligible and willing individuals to appropriate detoxification facilities and treatment resources. Short-term financial assistance may also be available for eligible detoxification services when an individual is awaiting the establishment or activation of medical insurance coverage.
Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 26-068A was issued on May 28, 2026 on the City’s online bid management and publication system. A summary of vendor participation and results is as follows:
444 Vendors notified
3 Santa Ana vendors notified
27 Vendors downloaded the RFP packet
2 Responsive proposals received
1 Responsive proposal received from Santa Ana vendor
Proposals were solicited, opened on July 29, 2026, and evaluated. Two (2) proposals were received by the RFP deadline and were determined to be responsive to the specifications and met the City's requirements. An inter-departmental evaluation committee reviewed and rated the proposals according to the criteria listed in the RFP.
Following this procurement process, staff recommends awarding an agreement to the highest-ranked firm, Kingdom Causes, Inc., dba City Net (Exhibit 1). Based on the results of the competitive evaluation process, City Net received the highest overall score and was determined by the Review Panel to be the proposer best positioned to meet the City’s current and evolving street outreach, engagement, and detoxification needs.
The Panel’s recommendation was based on the evaluation criteria established in the RFP, including the proposer’s demonstrated experience, understanding of the City’s needs, approach to service delivery, and ability to provide coordinated and responsive services.
City Net is the City’s current street outreach provider and has developed extensive knowledge of Santa Ana’s homeless response system, community needs, service resources, and the individuals experiencing homelessness who are served through the program. The City’s current contract with City Net provides a trauma-informed, non-lawenforcement homeless outreach and engagement resource known as SMART (Santa Ana’s Multi-Disciplinary Homeless Response Team). City Net responds to reports of non-criminal homeless-related activity identified through the MySantaAna app, nonemergency homeless-related calls received by the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD), priority calls from City staff, and calls received through City Net’s dedicated Street Outreach, Engagement and Detox Services for Unhoused Individuals October 20, 2026
dispatch system. City Net’s dedicated dispatch system provides an additional avenue for community members and City partners to request outreach assistance and facilitates the timely deployment of outreach staff to individuals experiencing homelessness.
In addition to street outreach, City Net provides a range of services designed to address the multiple barriers faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. Case Managers provide in-reach services at the Santa Ana jail and case management to individuals experiencing homelessness who are enrolled in the program. Outreach workers assist individuals with transportation to shelter, treatment facilities, medical appointments, and other supportive services, as well as assistance obtaining identification and other vital documents. Housing Navigators assist clients in identifying and connecting to appropriate housing opportunities.
City Net has also demonstrated its ability to respond to the City’s evolving needs and has been accommodating of requests to expand or modify services. Most recently, City Net conducted a local and updated Point-in-Time Count in October 2025 specifically for the City of Santa Ana, completing the effort within the financial constraints of its existing contract. This demonstrated the organization’s willingness and ability to undertake additional activities that support the City’s planning and understanding of homelessness within the community.
A significant enhancement to City Net’s proposed program is the addition of a detoxification component. Through this component, City Net will work with individuals experiencing homelessness who are interested in addressing substance use and connect them with appropriate detoxification facilities and treatment resources.
Detoxification services provide a structured setting where individuals can receive support while withdrawing from alcohol or other substances and can be connected to the appropriate level of ongoing treatment and recovery services. Recognizing that an individual may not have immediate access to insurance coverage or may experience delays in obtaining coverage, City Net will provide short-term financial assistance to cover eligible detoxification services while the individual’s medical insurance coverage is established or becomes effective, helping to remove a financial barrier that could otherwise prevent the individual from accessing treatment.
The addition of detoxification services strengthens the City's street outreach response by allowing outreach staff to address substance use as part of a broader engagement and stabilization strategy. Rather than simply providing a referral, the program will provide a pathway for eligible individuals to move from street outreach and engagement to detoxification and, when appropriate, additional treatment and supportive services, and ultimately toward becoming housed and achieving greater long-term stability.
City Net’s existing presence in Santa Ana also provides continuity of care for individuals with whom the organization has established relationships. Under the proposed contract, City Net will continue responding to street outreach requests and maintain case management services for the hundreds of individuals currently engaged with the program. This continuity will minimize disruptions in service, preserve established relationships between outreach staff and clients, and allow the organization to build Street Outreach, Engagement and Detox Services for Unhoused Individuals October 20, 2026
upon its existing knowledge of individuals who may require multiple and sustained contacts before accepting services.
The Review Panel determined that City Net’s demonstrated knowledge of Santa Ana, established relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness, history of responsive service delivery, and enhanced approach incorporating detoxification services positioned the organization to provide the most effective and comprehensive response to the City’s current needs. The recommended award therefore allows the City to maintain continuity in its core street outreach services while expanding the program to provide additional pathways to treatment and stabilization for individuals experiencing homelessness.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $1,937,400 is available for expenditure in Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget. The remaining $1,562,600 is available from existing Opioid Remediation fund balance and will be presented to the City Council for consideration through the First Quarter Budget Adjustment process. Sufficient fund balance is available to support the additional funding.
Any remaining balances not expended at the end of Fiscal Year 2026-27 will be presented for City Council consideration to carryforward for expenditure in Fiscal Year 2027-28. Funding for the renewal option, if exercised, is subject to the availability of funds and will be included in the proposed budget for City Council consideration.
Funds will be budgeted and available as shown below.
Fiscal
Year
Accounting
Unit
Account Unit
Description
Account Account
Description
Amount
Contract (1-Year Term)
Current Budget
2026/27 12218720 HHAP-6 69135 Payment to
Subagent
$1,000,000
2026/27 11118800 Opioid
Remediation
Various Various $937,400
Adjustment (First Quarter)
2026/27 11118800 Opioid
Remediation
69135 Payment to
Subagent
$1,562,600
Optional One, 1-Year Extension
2027/28 11118800 Opioid
Remediation
69135 Payment to
Subagent
$2,500,000
2027/28 12218720 HHAP-6 69135 Payment to
Subagent
$1,000,000
TOTAL $7,000,000
Street Outreach, Engagement and Detox Services for Unhoused Individuals October 20, 2026
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Agreement with Kingdom Causes, Inc., dba City Net
Submitted By: Sylvia Vazquez, Deputy City Manager/Acting Executive Director of Community Development Agency
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager