TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Brian Ambrose, Community Services Director
PREPARED BY: Crystal Arora, Management Analyst - Parks & Recreation
SUBJECT:
title
Amended and Restated Agreement with County of Riverside Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions to Accept Additional Grant Funding for Homeless Street Outreach and Outreach Support
end
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Accept additional supplemental funding from the County of Riverside Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions for the Homeless Incentive Program for street outreach and outreach support in the amount of $225,716.33;
Authorize the City Manager to execute the First Amended and Restated Agreement with the County of Riverside Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions for additional grant funding and all applicable documents; and
Amend the Fiscal Year 2023/24 Operating Budget consistent with the Fiscal Impact Section.
body
PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On July 20, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 21-4448, accepting grant funding from the County of Riverside Department of Housing, Homeless Prevention, and Workforce Solutions for the Emergency Solutions Grant - Coronavirus Round II for homeless street outreach, emergency sheltering services, and case management services (Vote: 5-0).
On June 21, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 22-4573, accepting additional supplemental funding from the County of Riverside Department of Housing, Homeless Prevention and Workforce Solutions for the Emergency Solutions Grant - Coronavirus Round II in the amount of $153,035.35 to support continued emergency sheltering services and additional repairs to the Murrieta emergency shelter (Vote: 5-0).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Foster and promote an engaged, connected and caring community.
BACKGROUND
Under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Riverside County received a funding allocation for homeless programming. The City of Murrieta (City) applied for and received grant funding in the amount of $992,154.70 for homeless services, titled Emergency Solutions Grant - Coronavirus Round 2 (ESG-CV2). With the allocation, the City contracted with Project Touch for sheltering services ($455,340.00) and with Social Work Action Group (SWAG) for street outreach and case management services ($513,770.20).
In late May 2022, grant coordinators at the County of Riverside (County) notified City staff that additional ESG-CV2 funding had become available and asked for a preliminary plan to expend any additional funding requested. The City responded with a request to continue support of the Murrieta Emergency Shelter’s operations through Project Touch. On June 2, 2022, the County notified City staff that additional funding in the amount of $153,035.35 would be awarded to the City, and on June 21, 2022, the City Council accepted the funding. At the time of acceptance of the additional funding for emergency shelter services, City staff ended the agreement with SWAG for all homeless-related services and extended a new agreement to City Net to take over all street outreach and case management services.
Since receiving this grant funding, the level of visible homeless in Murrieta has decreased, and Murrieta has reached and maintained its goal of functional zero homelessness (shelter for all homeless individuals accepting services and moving towards housing sustainability). This is mainly due to the seamless services between the homeless outreach team, the Murrieta Police Department’s Community Policing Team (CPT), the Behavioral Health Assessment Team (CBAT), and nonprofit partners, including City Net and Project Touch.
In March 2023, the County of Riverside informed City staff of additional funding available to the City as an extension of the ESG-CV agreement. This funding, in the amount of $225,716.33, will assist in the City’s street outreach services. The funding is presented as an amendment to the original agreement in place between the City and the County. City Net is currently operating under a month-to-month agreement with the City, and the compensation will remain the same. Staff anticipates bringing forward a longer-term agreement with both City Net and Project Touch for City Council approval at a later date.
FISCAL IMPACT
Accepting this additional grant funding will require a budget appropriation in the Fiscal Year 2023/24 Operating Budget within the Emergency Solutions Grant Fund account number 3770050-60480 50123377-60480 and 3770050-42222 50123377-42222 for $225,716.33.
ATTACHMENTS
1. First Amended and Restated Agreement with the County of Riverside Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions