Title
Expanding Homeless Services with Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant Funds (Ordinance S-44822)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to allocate additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in the amount of $125,000 for counseling services for formerly homeless youth at Aeroterra, and amend Contract 145546 to add $91,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds for additional family emergency shelter services at United Methodist Outreach Ministries (UMOM) New Day Center. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Report
Summary
At the request of the Sustainability, Housing, Efficiency and Neighborhoods Subcommittee, the Human Services and Housing departments reviewed opportunities to provide additional services to the homeless population using available FY 2018-19 CDBG public service funds. Staff also identified additional ESG funds that could be used towards serving the homeless population. Staff recommends the following for consideration.
Counseling Services for Formerly Homeless Youth at Aeroterra
Contract with professionals to provide counseling services utilizing the citywide temporary agency contract for the approximately 67 children living in the 33 housing units at Aeroterra. These units are set aside for persons experiencing homelessness. The Human Services Department currently provides case management for those households that is primarily directed toward adults to assist with life skills, job attainment, educational opportunities and medical/mental health services. Over the past year, the Housing Department has experienced issues with many of the children not adapting to the new living conditions, resulting in property damage and aggressive behavior toward other children which has, in turn, resulted in some families facing eviction. Providing targeted on-site counseling services for youth experiencing difficulty adjusting to permanent housing and expectations would aid in the successful long-term housing of these families.
Emergency Shelter Services for Families at UMOM New Day Center
Provide additional funding and amend UMOM New Day Center Contract 145546 to increase the number of emergency shelter beds from 16 to 23, which will allow for an additional 40 households to be served per year.
Contract Term
The term of Contract 145546 is seven years, which began on July 1, 2017 and ends on June 30, 2024.
Financial Impact
Additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in the amount of $125,000 will be used for counseling services for formerly homeless youth at Aeroterra, and $91,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds will be used for additional family emergency shelter services at United Methodist Outreach Ministries (UMOM) New Day Center. There is no impact to the General Fund.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Sustainability, Housing, Efficiency and Neighborhoods Subcommittee is scheduled to hear this item on June 19, 2018.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Deanna Jonovich and the Human Services and Housing departments.