Agenda Item #13.18
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 FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 GRANT AGREEMENTS FOR PUBLIC SERVICES AND FAIR HOUSING AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
The Housing and Community Services Department recommends that the Council, by resolution: 1) approve the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Grant Agreements for public services with the Living Room, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa DBA Catholic Charities of Northwest California (Caritas Family Center, Caritas Drop-In Center, Homeless Outreach Services Team, and Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter), and fair housing with Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California in the combined amount of $3,177,647; 2) authorize the Director of Housing and Community Services or their designee to execute the Grant Agreements and future amendments for public services and fair housing; 3) appropriate up to $100,000 from Homeless Reserves (Fund 1209) for the Caritas Drop-In Center; and 4) authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute any forms or documents required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement the Grant Agreements. All funds in this item are included in the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Annually HUD provides funding to the City through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). Federal regulations require portions of these funds to be allocated to non-profit organizations providing services to the community. CDBG public services awards are prioritized for 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 support fair housing services and programs. Currently, Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California provides these services within the City and County of Sonoma. For Fiscal Year 2026/2027, the Department of Housing and Community Services (HCS) recommends approval of grant agreements for six (6) programs that are aimed at reducing homelessness and providing essential services to vulnerable populations.
GOAL
This item relates to Council Goal #5 - Plan for and Encourage Housing for All and Reduce Homelessness as this funding supports the City’s efforts to address and prevent homelessness.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
Each year, HUD provides the City with funding that is allocated in the Annual Action Plan. On April 21, 2026, Council approved the Annual Action Plan, including funding allocations of $1,268,543 in CDBG funds and $620,063 in HOME funds for a total award of $1,888,606. Per HUD requirements, up to 15 percent (15%) of CDBG funds are allocated for the public services program.
The City has 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 Housing Authority provides local funds to augment the public services program.
For Fiscal Year 2026/2027, the City has the following public services funding available:
$199,281
Up to 15% of awarded CDBG funds
$114,359
Up to 15% of one-time CDBG program income from prior year loan repayments $ 80,000
Housing Authority local funding for public services and federally mandated fair housing services $393,640
Total
Funds are allocated through an annual solicitation process from organizations aiming to deliver essential public services and fair housing.
ANALYSIS
Staff is recommending that Council approve six (6) grant agreements that align with federal requirements, funding availability, the City’s Homelessness Solutions Strategic Plan, HUD Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan. The grant agreements total $3,177,647 from the following funding sources:
$ 393,640
CDBG Public Services Funds
$2,724,007
Homeless Services Local Funds
$3,177,647
Total
A portion of the public services funds include one-time CDBG program income ($114,359) from prior year loan repayments which will be used to offset General Fund reductions to four (4) programs operated by Catholic Charities: Caritas Drop-In and Family Center, Homeless Outreach Services Team, and Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter.
Local homeless services funding includes the following:
$1,137,500
Real Property Transfer Tax
$273,309
Opioid Settlement Funds
$930,424
General Fund
$2,674
Private Bequest
$255,000
County of Sonoma
$85,100
Community Foundation Sonoma County
$40,000
Homeless Reserves
$2,724,007
Homeless Services Local Funds
The six (6) awards are as follows:
Catholic Charities Caritas Drop-In Center: $263,455
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 Caritas Drop-In Center serves approximately 1,000 individuals annually.
Catholic Charities Caritas Family Center: $104,700
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 Caritas Family Center serves approximately 400 family members annually.
Catholic Charities Homeless Outreach Services Team: $667,750 Provides housing-focused street outreach services to engage persons experiencing homelessness and living in unsheltered locations into services, shelter, and housing. The Homeless Outreach Services Team serves approximately 750 households annually.
Catholic Charities Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter: $2,001,742 Provides up to 213 year-round, low-barrier emergency shelter beds with a housing-focused service model. The Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter serves approximately 600 individuals annually.
The Living Room Center: $35,000
Serves as a resource and referral center for women and their children who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness. Services include meals, showers, community referrals, and housing-focused case management. The Living Room Center serves approximately 1,000 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 Countywide Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH), updated in 2024, including fair housing enforcement and education services. The program serves approximately 80 households.
FISCAL IMPACT
Of the $3,177,647 that is being granted to various public services organizations, $3,077,647 funds are included in the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 budget; $199,281 is from HUD CDBG funding, $114,359 is from CDBG program income, $80,000 is from Housing Authority local funding, and $2,684,007 is local Homeless Services funding. The balance ($40,000) is Homeless Reserves (Fund 1209) that will be appropriated as part of this item for the Caritas Drop-In Center. An additional $60,000 may be appropriated for the Caritas Drop-In Center to be used at the discretion of the City Manager.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, the recommended action is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not have the potential to result in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. In the alternative, the action is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3), as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that approval of the grant agreements 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 – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa DBA Catholic Charities of Northwest California (Caritas Drop-In Center) 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 Family Center) Exhibit E – Grant Agreement for Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) Program – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa DBA Catholic Charities of Northwest California Exhibit F - Agreement for the Operation and Use of the Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter Housing-Focused Program – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa DBA Catholic Charities of Northwest California
PRESENTER(S)
Sasha Brown, Program Specialist II
APPROVAL OF FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 GRANT AGREEMENTS FOR PUBLIC SERVICES AND FAIR HOUSING PAGE 3 OF 3