Title:
Title
Agreement: Funding Operations of the North 5th Street Shelter
End
FileID
File ID: 2018-01042
Location
Location: District 3
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Pass a Motion authorizing the City Manager or City Manager’s designee to execute an agreement with Volunteers of America of Northern California and Northern Nevada for a not-to-exceed amount of $375,087 for the operations of the North 5th Street Shelter.
Contact: Emily Halcon, Homeless Services Coordinator, (916) 808-7896; Andrew Geurkink, Program Analyst, (916) 808-7816, Office of the City Manager
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Volunteers of America North 5th Street Shelter Agreement
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The City of Sacramento (City) has provided funding for the North 5th Street Shelter (formerly called the Comprehensive Alcohol Treatment Center) operated by Volunteers of America of Northern California and Northern Nevada (VOA) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sacramento County (County) since 2007. The County previously provided operational funding for the North 5th Street Shelter from General Funds and with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds administered by the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA). Starting in FY2015/16, the County’s direct contribution shifted from providing direct operational funding to supporting the program by allowing VOA to operate this shelter program in a County facility free of charge. With the reduction in the County funding in FY2015/16, the City and SHRA worked with VOA to arrive at a budget and staffing agreement that could sustain the program and this agreement has continued since. On June 30, 2018, the Fiscal Year 2017/18 MOU between the City and SHRA ended. Staff recommends approving a new contract between the City and VOA to allow for the direct administration and oversight of funding for the North 5th Street Shelter through December of 2018. SHRA is already authorized to enter into an agreement with VOA as part of the County CDBG Action Plan approval. As the City continues to work with the County, SHRA and VOA on shelter policies and operations and the implementation of the new Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP), additional funding for January through June of 2019 for the North 5th Street Shelter will be considered.
Policy Considerations: The City contract for the North 5th Street Shelter will require active coordination with the homeless Continuum of Care and participation in the community’s coordinated entry and assessment program as well as the City’s Pathways to Health + Home. These programs align with the federal directive that funding for addressing homelessness follow a “housing first” approach and be part of a larger strategy to lowering barriers to services. Housing first principles ensure that emergency shelter be provided with few to no barriers to access and focus on linking clients with permanent housing as quickly as possible. In housing first programs, supportive services are offered (but not required as a condition of tenancy) in shelters and ongoing to help people keep their housing and avoid returning to homelessness. City, County and SHRA staff are working on a broader shelter funding strategy that collaboratively plans for funding of shelter beds, aligning available resources and ensuring that all shelter beds are coordinated regarding access and services offered. Consistent with the October 16, 2018 Council workshop, City is working with VOA staff and other funding partners to transition the North 5th Street Shelter into a low-barrier, triage shelter following housing first principles.
In addition, North 5th Street Shelter is a critical resource for the City’s Police Department’s IMPACT Team which regularly refers vulnerable homeless to this program. This shelter program not only supports the IMPACT Team with providing health stabilizing services, but also provides a consistent place in which clients can be connected to additional supportive services, including connections to permanent housing opportunities.
Economic Impacts: None
Environmental Considerations: This report concerns administrative activities that are exempt from environment review per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2). These actions are also exempt from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) per 24 CFR Section 58.34(a)(3) and (4).
Sustainability: Not Applicable
Commission/Committee Action: None
Rationale for Recommendation: The North 5th Street Shelter location has historically provided an alternative to incarceration for homeless public inebriates. Providing such alternative has had benefits both the individual and community and is a critical part of a larger strategy to address homelessness in Sacramento. In recent years, reductions in funding have changed the type of on-site services offered and medical detox services are no longer being provided. With these changes in place, the program began operating in a capacity more closely similar to an emergency shelter program than a medical detox. Working closely with Volunteers of America, City staff have aligned City funds to support the transition of North 5th Street Shelter and to ensure the preservation of all 80 existing beds.
Financial Considerations: The total 6-month cost of the program is $575,087; the City’s contribution is an amount not-to-exceed $375,087. SHRA has committed $200,000 in County CDBG funds for calendar year 2018, a portion of which will be available to cover expenses in Fiscal Year 2018/19 contract. There is sufficient general funding in the Homeless Housing Initiative Program (I02000200) to manage this contract.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable