Agenda Item #13.16
For Council Meeting of: June 16, 2026
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MEGAN BASINGER, DIRECTOR
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF FUNDING AGREEMENT AND OPERATING AGREEMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 SAFE PARKING PROGRAM
AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
The Housing and Community Services Department recommends that the Council, by resolution: 1) accept and appropriate $979,040 in Measure O and Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) funds from the County of Sonoma to operate the Safe Parking Program (Program); 2) authorize the City Manager to execute County of Sonoma Agreement for Services Contract Number 2026-6047-A00 (Funding Agreement) to secure the award; and 3) authorize the Director of Housing and Community Services to execute the Operating Agreement for the Safe Parking Program with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa DBA Catholic Charities of Northwest California (Catholic Charities) for the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000, including $20,960 in local funds previously budgeted for homeless services.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since January 1, 2022, the City has contracted with Catholic Charities for operation of the Program utilizing a series of one-time funds. In September 2025, the Housing and Community Services Department applied to the County of Sonoma Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Measure O: Behavioral Health and Homelessness Pathways to Sustainability to continue operations of the Program. On February 10, 2026, the City was awarded $979,040 in Measure O and HHAP funds. The City will enter into the Funding Agreement with the County of Sonoma. To administer these funds, the City must accept and appropriate the award and execute the Operating Agreement with Catholic Charities in the amount of $1,000,000, including $20,960 in local funds previously budgeted for homeless services.
GOAL
This item relates to Council Goal #5 - Plan for and Encourage Housing for All and Reduce Homelessness as the Program addresses vehicular homelessness in Santa Rosa.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
On December 7, 2021, Council approved Catholic Charities as the operator of the Program and execution of an initial operating agreement in the amount of $1,299,826 for the period January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022 (Year One) with an option to extend for the period January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023 (Year Two).
The City has extended operations beyond the initial two-year period via a series of agreements most recently through the Second Amendment to Operating Agreement Number F002431, which expires on June 30, 2026. Operations of the Program have been supported with resources from the City (American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Opioid Settlement Funds, and General Fund) and the Sonoma County Community Development Commission. Operations have also been supported by funding from the State of California’s Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Program grant included in a separate agreement (Number F002731) with Catholic Charities.
The Program, located in a portion of the City-owned parking facility at 55 Stony Point Road, is a housing-focused, low-barrier site providing up to 50 parking spaces for persons experiencing homelessness to safely park their vehicle or RV with access to basic services, such as food, sanitation, and shower facilities, and wrap-around services targeted at ending their homelessness.
On February 10, 2026, the County of Sonoma awarded the City $479,040 in Measure O and $500,000 in HHAP funds for a combined total of $979,040 to support the Program.
The City has identified $20,960 in local funds previously budgeted for homeless services to provide a total of $1,000,000 to extend operations of the Program through June 30, 2027.
ANALYSIS
Between opening in March 2022 and March 2026, the Program has achieved the following outcomes:
410 individuals received interim shelter in the Program; 96 individuals (27% of program exits) exited to permanent housing; 36 individuals (10% of program exits) exited to emergency shelter or other temporary housing.
Catholic Charities has successfully fulfilled its obligations and met the performance standards set forth in the City’s operating agreements, including promptly addressing complaints or concerns.
Catholic Charities will continue to submit quarterly reports to include the outcomes outlined above along with narratives on the Program’s progress, client engagement and feedback process, and explanations of any exits to the street or unknown destination.
Approval of this item will allow the City to accept $979,040 in funding for the Program and authorize the expenditure of $1,000,000 for its continued operation through June 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this action does not have a fiscal impact on the General Fund. This item is requesting a one-time appropriation of funds from the County of Sonoma in the amount of $979,040. The balance ($20,960) is from local funds previously budgeted for homeless services including previously received bequest funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
This Program has been found in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Existing Facilities, and CEQA Guidelines Section 15183, Projects Consistent with a Community Plan, General Plan, or Zoning. Specifically, the Program consists of the operation of an existing public facility involving a negligible expansion of the existing parking lot use. In addition, the Program is consistent with the site’s Public Institutional General Plan land use designation and zoning classification, as well as applicable General Plan policies supporting public facilities and services.
The Program is also exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(c) because the proposed actions are necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency under the City’s Local Homeless Emergency Declaration. Therefore, no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
Exhibit A – County of Sonoma Agreement for Services Contract Number 2026-6047-A00 between County of Sonoma and City of Santa Rosa for Operational Funding of the Safe Parking Program (Funding Agreement) Exhibit B - Operating Agreement for the Safe Parking Program with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa DBA Catholic Charities of Northwest California (Operating Agreement)
PRESENTER(S)
Sasha Brown, Program Specialist II
APPROVAL OF FUNDING AGREEMENT AND OPERATING AGREEMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 SAFE PARKING PROGRAM PAGE 3 OF 3