Agenda Item #12.4
For Council Meeting of: October 24, 2023
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MEGAN BASINGER, DIRECTOR,
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT TO HOMELESS OUTREACH SERVICES TEAM GRANT AGREEMENT WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF SANTA ROSA FOR EXPANDED OUTREACH SERVICES IN DOWNTOWN SANTA ROSA AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Housing and Community Services Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) approve the First Amendment to Grant Agreement for Homeless Outreach Services Team Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, increasing the contract by $100,000 in ARPA funds appropriated to Homeless Services for a total amount of $1,135,450 for expanded outreach services in downtown Santa Rosa; and 2) authorize the Director of Housing and Community Services to execute the amendment.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff seeks approval of the First Amendment to Grant Agreement for Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa (First Amendment), increasing the contract by $100,000 for expanded outreach services in downtown Santa Rosa for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2023/2024. Since 2015, the City has contracted with Catholic Charities’ HOST to engage persons experiencing homelessness and living in unsheltered locations into services, shelter, and housing as part of the “Housing First” model. The Fiscal Year 2023/2024 HOST contract and proposed First Amendment, a combined total of $1,135,450, is funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and does not create an impact to the General Fund.
BACKGROUND
For the past eight (8) years, HOST has served as the City’s designated outreach provider supporting its efforts to address encampments, including COVID-response programs and implementation of the State Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) program to provide comprehensive services for individuals residing in encampments in the Southwest and Southeast areas of the City.
Between Fiscal Year 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, HOST achieved the following outcomes:
Increased the number of people served by 24% (504 to 627 individuals); Increased shelter placements by 110% (137 to 288 individuals); Increased housing placements by 55% (71 to 110 individuals).
These outcomes contribute, in part, to the progress Santa Rosa has made in reducing its homeless population (30% overall) as reflected in the 2023 homeless count.
The proposed First Amendment provides $100,000 for two (2) dedicated outreach workers (Downtown Outreach Team) to proactively engage business owners, community members, and persons experiencing homelessness in downtown Santa Rosa to include Courthouse Square, Railroad Square, West End and St. Rose neighborhoods, and downtown parks during business hours, typically Monday to Friday 11am to 7pm. The Downtown Outreach Team will provide a number of services summarized below:
Engage persons experiencing homelessness; refer and enroll in community resources, services, shelter, and housing; Engage downtown business owners and community members to promote HOST’s downtown presence and to determine areas of concern; Attend weekly meetings with the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber’s enhanced services contractor (NexStreet) and City staff; Coordinate outreach with the Santa Rosa Police Department’s Downtown Enforcement Team; Provide Conservation Crew* clean-ups in coordination with NexStreet’s efforts in the downtown services area; and Participate in community meetings and special events at the request of the City. *Conservation Crew provides financial incentives to recently or currently homeless individuals to help clean-up areas impacted by homelessness.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
On June 7, 2022, Council approved a Grant Agreement for Homeless Outreach Services Team Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa in the amount of $1,035,450 for the initial period July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (Year 1) and continuing for up to five years total (Fiscal Year 2022/2023 to Fiscal Year 2026/2027) on a conditional basis subject to contractor performance and funding availability.
ANALYSIS
Approval of the First Amendment will provide $100,000 for expanded outreach services in downtown Santa Rosa for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2023/2024. Subject to the availability of funds and Council approval, these services may be extended in Fiscal Year 2024/2025.
Catholic Charities will be required to submit quarterly reports to include the number of engagements with persons experiencing homelessness and outcome of these engagements (i.e., referrals to shelter/temporary housing and permanent housing); number of engagements with businesses owners and community members; number of clean-ups; number of community meetings/special events attended; and a narrative of downtown efforts.
FISCAL IMPACT
One-time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will be used for the First Amendment. The City’s Homeless Services division is funded by one-time ARPA funds in Fiscal Year 2022/2023, but would need to be funded with the General Fund once ARPA is expended.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This action is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15378 in that there is no possibility that the implementation of this action may have significant effects on the environment, and no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution/Exhibit A – First Amendment to Grant Agreement for Homeless Outreach Services Team Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa
PRESENTER
Sasha Brown
Program Specialist
[email protected]
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