TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary subsequent subcontracts and amendments, including any amendment to the award amount, with the Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency’s (BCSH) California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH), to accept and expend grant funding in the amount of $1,322,281 for the Encampment Resolution Funding Program, for the period of April 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024, with the option to renew for an additional two-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $1,322,281, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) is authorized by the California Health and Safety Code (section 50250 et seq.). The ERF program is a $47.5 million grant established to assist local jurisdictions in ensuring wellness and safety of people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in encampments, support innovative and replicable efforts to resolve critical encampment concerns, support individuals to access safe and stable housing using Housing First Approaches, and encourage a data-informed, coordinated approach to address unsheltered homelessness at encampments.
On March 1, 2022, the City of Long Beach (City) was awarded $1,322,281 in ERF grant funding to serve PEH along a major commercial corridor located at 1301 N. Warren Ave. The site is adjacent to the MacArthur Park, the Homeland Community Center, Mark Twain Library, and various businesses and public right of ways. This is one of Long Beach’s largest encampment sites and one which has a significant portion of individuals who have been experiencing chronic homelessness for over five years. In a survey conducted in December 2021, the encampment site had approximately 40 individuals.
The ERF program will service the immediate crisis of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the encampment site and will support them onto paths to safe and stable housing. The program will also result in sustainable restoration of public spaces, including MacArthur Park, Homeland Community Center, and Mark Twain Library, to their intended uses, while prioritizing the health and wellness of PEH. The proposed intervention that will be offered to PEH through the EFR grant will be immediate access to a motel voucher and other interim housing options available in the City to exit the encampment, as well as case management services to provide connection to other services and resources, with the ultimate goal of obtaining a permanent housing solution for program participants.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on March 22, 2022 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on March 31, 2022.
EQUITY STATEMENT
The City has incorporated the Equity Toolkit and strategies outlined in the Everyone Home Long Beach plan into this recommendation as requested by the City Council. This recommendation will assist people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach by providing critical resources and services to continue efforts to end and prevent homelessness in the Long Beach community.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 19, 2022, to be compliant with the program’s statutory requirements and administer contracts before the deadline set forth by the funder.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive ERF funding in the amount of $1,322,281 for the Encampment Resolution Funding Program. An appropriation increase is requested in the amount of $1,322,281 in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenue. Funding will support programs with clear pathways to connect people to resources, including permanent housing options, restore the encampment site to its intended use, and administrative costs. The grant has no match or in-kind service mandate requirement. This recommendation has minimal staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. Grant revenues will offset the cost of one additional full-time employee in the Homeless Services Bureau required to meet the scope of required services outlined by the grant. At the end of the grant period, the position will be eliminated if the grant is not renewed or if additional funding is unavailable. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER