REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Revenue Agreement with the County of Santa Clara for the Santa Clara Intensive Case Management and Homeless Prevention Program [Council Pillar: Promote and Enhance Economic, Housing, and Transportation Development]
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara contracts with the County of Santa Clara to provide services related to reducing homelessness within the City. Most recently, on June 25, 2019, the City Council approved a Second Amendment to a Revenue Agreement with the County committing $125,000 to provide case management services to chronically homeless individuals through the County’s Care Coordination Project (CCP). The CCP operates under the leadership of the County’s Office of Supportive Housing, which partners with public and private agencies in coordinating care of the county’s most vulnerable, long-term homeless residents. The Second Amendment to the Revenue Agreement also included a funding allocation of $50,000 for the County’s Homeless Prevention Program.
The current Agreement with the County for the Santa Clara Intensive Case Management and Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) expires on June 30, 2020.
DISCUSSION
Approval of a new Revenue Agreement with the County of Santa Clara would extend the City’s participation in the Care Coordination Project and Homeless Prevention Program for an additional two years, from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022, and increase annual funding to cover the costs for both programs by an amount not to exceed $225,000 in FY 20/21 and $175,000 in FY 21/22 over the term of the Agreement. The Agreement would be funded primarily through the City’s Housing Successor Fund, consistent with the funding for the original Revenue Agreement.
The Agreement directly contributes toward achievement of the City’s goal of ending homelessness in the City. Through the Revenue Agreement, the County provides housing and case management on an ongoing basis for 20 homeless and chronically homeless individuals that are referred to the County by the City of Santa Clara Police Department’s (SCPD) Nuisance Suppression Unit. The SCPD Nuisance Suppression Unit maintains a list of homeless and chronically homeless people considered to be the City's most vulnerable to incidences of both personal and public safety and makes referrals to the County based on this list.
The Agreement also provides services to the City utilizing County funds. Per the Agreement the City funds case management services, while the County provides housing subsidies to these 20 individuals at no additional cost to the City. The housing subsidies are “permanent” (e.g., provide “Permanent Supportive Housing”) as they do not expire unless a participant no longer meets the program eligibility qualifications. Based upon current usage in similar County programs, the estimate of housing subsidy from the County per year for 20 housing units is approximately $470,000.
To further the goal of ending homelessness in Santa Clara, the Agreement also seeks to prevent homelessness through a funding allocation for the County’s Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) of $100,000 in FY 20/21 and $50,000 in FY 21/22, funded by the City’s Affordable Housing Fund. This program is a countywide initiative to provide eligible households with emergency assistance such as rent, security deposits, food, work related transportation, medical assistance and utilities assistance to prevent homelessness. Eligible households would need to have sufficient household income to maintain housing after receiving emergency assistance. The County estimates that Santa Clara’s contribution to HPP would provide emergency financial assistance to at least 20 households.
Extending the current Agreement will thus provide important services within Santa Clara in a cost-effective manner.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Agreement provides $125,000 per fiscal year for the CPP intensive case manager, and $100,000 in FY 20/21, then $50,000 in FY 21/22 for HPP services. The Agreement’s first year total cost is $225,000 and second year total cost would be $175,000 (totaling $400,000 over the two-year term of the Agreement). Funding for the Agreement is included as part of the Amended FY 2020/21 Operating Budget in the City’s Housing Successor and the City’s Affordable Housing Funds.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Revenue Agreement with the County of Santa Clara for the Santa Clara Intensive Case Management and Homeless Prevention Program for two years not to exceed $400,000.
Staff
Reviewed by: Andrew Crabtree, Director of Community Development
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. County Case Management Revenue Agreement 20.22