TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents and any subsequent amendments, including amending the award amounts, with the Los Angeles County Development Authority, to accept and expend Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in an approximate amount up to $254,000, to implement a Homeless Court Pilot Program in Long Beach, for the period of April 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, with the option to renew for three one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $254,000, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Los Angeles County Development Authority recently approached the City Prosecutor’s Office and the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) regarding the possibility of initiating a Homeless Court Pilot Program in Long Beach, facilitated by the Office of County Supervisor Janice Hahn.
After reviewing various Homeless Court models, both the City Prosecutor’s Office and the Health Department believe such a program is viable in Long Beach. The goal of the Long Beach Homeless Court Pilot Program is to assist justice-involved persons experiencing homelessness by connecting them with services, monitoring the progress of such individuals, and assisting them with clearing old convictions and resolving open misdemeanor cases.
The Health Department currently engages in extensive outreach and services for people experiencing persistent challenges, such as mental illness, substance use, and/or homelessness. Many of those served also have a history of non-violent, low-level misdemeanor arrests and convictions, and a homeless court project could remove legal barriers that make it harder to find employment and housing.
Over the past three years, the City Prosecutor’s Priority Access Diversion Program, has been connecting and reconnecting people experiencing mental illness, substance abuse and/or homelessness to residential treatment programs in lieu of prosecution. The Long Beach Homeless Court Pilot Program, with funding from the Los Angeles County Development Authority, will support the ongoing work of the Priority Access Diversion Program and the Homeless Services Division.
The grant funds will support: (1) removing barriers to housing; (2) implementing a trauma-and resiliency-informed approach to the criminal justice system; and, 3) strengthening the capacity to address homelessness.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on April 5, 2021 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on April 23, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 11, 2021, to commence the program as soon as possible and spend down the funds before the deadline set forth by the funder.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive CDBG funding of up to $254,000 to implement a Homeless Court Pilot Program for the period of April 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. An appropriation increase is requested in the amount of $254,000 in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenue. Funding will support program and administrative costs. The grant has no match or in-kind service mandate requirement. This recommendation has a 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 City Prosecutor’s Office 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.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
DOUGLAS HAUBERT
CITY PROSECUTOR
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER