Agenda Item #13.4
For Council Meeting of: July 8, 2025
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MEGAN BASINGER, DIRECTOR
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 GRANT AGREEMENTS FOR PUBLIC SERVICES, FAIR HOUSING, AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS (HOPWA) AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Housing and Community Services Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) approve the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Grant Agreements for public service funds with the Living Room, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa DBA Catholic Charities of Northwest California (The Caritas Family Center and Caritas Drop-In Center), fair housing funds with Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds with Face to Face/The Sonoma County AIDS Network in the combined amount of $895,075; 2) authorize the Director of Housing and Community Services or their designee to execute the Grant Agreements and any future amendments thereto for public services, fair housing, and HOPWA; and 3) authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute, in a form approved by the City Attorney, any forms or documents required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement the Grant Agreements.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Annually HUD provides funding to the City through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and HOPWA programs. Portions of these funds, set by federal regulations are awarded to non-profit organizations providing services to the community. CDBG public services prioritize award to homeless service agencies in alignment with the City’s Homelessness Solutions Strategic Plan, the City’s HUD Consolidated Plan and the Annual Action Plan. HUD requires the City to provide a fair housing program, currently Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California provides services to the City and County of Sonoma.
For Fiscal Year 2025/2026, the Department of Housing and Community Services (HCS) recommends approval of grant agreements for five (5) programs that are aimed at reducing homelessness and providing essential services to vulnerable populations.
BACKGROUND
Each year, HUD provides the City with funding that is allocated in the Annual Action Plan. Council approved the Annual Action Plan on April 15, 2025, but at that time the Action Plan included estimated funding amounts from HUD. HUD released the final allocations on May 14, 2025, and staff finalized award amounts for the public services organizations.
The City delegated the responsibility for administering its housing programs, including HUD funds, to the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Rosa (Housing Authority), which is staffed by HCS.
The funding strategy for Fiscal Year 2025/2026, approved in the Action Plan is as follows:
$336,955
Public Services – up to 15% of CDBG funds ($201,955) plus local funds ($135,000)* $513,120
97% of HOPWA funds to an AIDS services provider
$ 45,000
Local funds for federally mandated fair housing services $895,075
Total
*The City’s General Fund augment to public services has been reduced by $150,000 in Fiscal Year 2025/2026 to address the City’s deficit.
Funds are allocated through an annual solicitation process from organizations aiming to deliver essential public services, fair housing, and HOPWA.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
On April 15, 2025, by Resolution No. RES-2025-052, the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Action Plan and authorized its submission to HUD.
ANALYSIS
Staff is recommending that Council approve (5) five grant agreements that align with federal requirements, funding availability, the City’s Homelessness Solutions Strategic Plan, HUD Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan. Those awards are:
Catholic Charities Caritas Drop-In Center: $205,955. Serves as a resource and referral center for individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Services include showers, laundry, telephone, mail, referrals for emergency shelters and community resources, and Coordinated Entry enrollment. The Drop-In Center serves approximately 1,100 individuals annually.
Catholic Charites Caritas Family Center: $96,000. A 192-bed emergency shelter for families with wrap-around services, including childcare, health services, educational and job training opportunities, and case management focused on self-sufficiency and housing stability. The Family Center serves approximately 500 family members annually.
Face to Face: $513,120. Provides comprehensive services to support safe and stable housing and to decrease homelessness for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Face to Face serves approximately 250 households annually.
The Living Room Life Center: $35,000. Open to women and their children who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness. Services include meals, showers, community referrals, and case management focused on stability, self-reliance, and housing. The Life Center serves approximately 1,100 women and children annually.
Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California: $45,000. Provides fair housing counseling and testing in Santa Rosa pursuant to the goals identified in the updated Countywide Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH), also called the 2024 Fair Housing Plan, including fair housing enforcement and education services.
FISCAL IMPACT
Of the $895,075 that is being granted to various public services organizations, all funds are included in the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget; $513,120 is from HUD HOPWA funding, $201,955 is from HUD CDBG funding, $100,000 is from the General Fund, and $80,000 is from Housing Authority local funding.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, the proposed action is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. In the alternative, the proposed action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
Exhibit A – Grant Agreement for Public Service Providers Program Funds – The Living Room Exhibit B – Grant Agreement for Public Service Providers Program Funds – Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California Exhibit C – Grant Agreement for Public Service Providers Program Funds – Face to Face/The Sonoma County AIDS Network Exhibit D – Grant Agreement for Public Service Providers Program Funds – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa DBA Catholic Charities of Northwest California (Caritas Drop-In Center) Exhibit E – Grant Agreement for Public Service Providers Program Funds – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa DBA Catholic Charities of Northwest California (Caritas Family Center)
PRESENTER
Koy Stewart, Program Specialist I
APPROVAL OF FY 2025/2026 GRANT AGREEMENTS FOR PUBLIC SERVICES, FAIR HOUSING, AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS (HOPWA) PAGE 4 OF 7