HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - AWARD OF A GRANT TO BRIDGE TO HOME FOR THE HIRING (2)Agenda Item: 13
DATE: April 9, 2019
SUBJECT: AWARD OF A GRANT TO BRIDGE TO HOME FOR THE HIRING
OF A PROJECT MANAGER AND GROWTH OF LOCAL
HOMELESS SERVICES
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: Jerrid McKenna
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Award a one-time grant to Bridge to Home in the amount of $150,000 to hire a project
manager for the planning and design of their permanent, year-round homeless shelter project
($50,000) and increase capacity of local homeless services ($100,000).
2. Appropriate $150,000 from the City Council's Contingency Account (19300-5401.001) to
Non -Departmental Expenditure Account 19000-5161.001.
3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute a Grant Agreement and all other required
documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
BACKGROUND
In late 2017, the City Council approved the transfer of two City -owned properties, located on
Drayton Street in Newhall, to Bridge to Home for the future construction of a permanent, year-
round homeless services center. Since that time, Bridge to Home has leveraged additional
funding from Los Angeles County and Measure H. From both sources, to date, Bridge to Home
has received or been awarded nearly $2 million for their future development and transition to
year-round operations.
Even with this financial support, Bridge to Home is in need of one-time funding to jumpstart the
development of their project and leverage additional funding from Measure H to increase the
capacity of their local services. This proposed one-time $150,000 grant would help fulfill the
following two immediate gaps identified by Bridge to Home:
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1) Capital Project Manager ($50,000)
The future site of Bridge to Home's permanent, year-round homeless services center
is now being surveyed, and initial architectural drawings and concepts have been
created. This funding would be used to hire a dedicated project manager who will
lead and expedite all activities to complete the entitlement process. Bridge to Home
does not currently have the in-house expertise to efficiently complete this complex
process to maximize and leverage current funding opportunities available through
Measure H.
2) Increasing Local Service Capacity ($100,000)
Nearly all homeless services are funded through reimbursement from government
entities. Taking advantage of new opportunities through Measure H, including job
training programs, family support services, life skills programming, and mental
health and substance use counseling, requires significant cash on hand to cover the
initial start-up costs, as well as the first 6 - 8 weeks of program operation. Bridge to
Home would use this $100,000 one-time funding, if approved, to support both
expanded shelter and counseling services and begin to build capacity to support
rental subsidies for clients. Bridge to Home will seek foundation grants and
individual and corporate donations to build this cash balance to the $400,000 level
necessary to support new and existing programs.
The City Council Homeless Issues Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of Mayor McLean and Mayor
Pro Tem Smyth, met on Tuesday, August 26, to review this request from Bridge to Home. Both
members were in support of assisting Bridge to Home and recommended this item be brought to
the City Council for approval.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action(s) as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
This one-time grant of $150,000 would need to utilize general fund dollars from the City
Council's Contingency account (19300-5401.001) for Fiscal Year 18/19.
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