REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director Planning and Development Department PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director Planning and Development BY: DYLAN MCCULLY, Sr Management Analyst Homeless Services Division SUBJECT ..Title Action pertaining to homeless youth services agreement provided under the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) program (Bid File 12400090): 1. Approve an Agreement for one-year with one optional one-year extension with Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission to provide homeless youth bridge housing services in the annual amount of $139,429.00. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council approve the HHAP agreement with Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission (FEOC) to provide homeless youth bridge housing services in the amount of $139,429.00 annually and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to sign all implementing agreements. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Fresno (City) is seeking to award funding for homeless youth services as part of the HHAP program requirements. Staff issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on August 2, 2023, and received two proposals for homeless youth services. One proposal was determined to be qualified and responsive to the RFP. Based on the evaluation completed by a selection committee, staff recommends awarding FEOC an annual allocation of $139,429.00 for homeless bridge housing services for one-year agreement with one optional one-year extension. BACKGROUND On January 18, 2023, the City of Fresno received a total of $7,524,257.15 in a third round of HHAP funding. HHAP Round 3 funding, authorized by Assembly Bill 140, is designed to develop a unified regional response to homelessness and to provide support to local jurisdictions to continue to build on regional collaboration developed through previous rounds of California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH) funding. The funding is available to continuums of care, counties, tribal governments, and cities with populations over 300,000. A requirement of HHAP Round 3 funding is that 10% must be set aside to serve youth, which are defined as unaccompanied youth who are between 12 and 24 years old and experiencing homelessness. The City of Fresno currently has $752,425.72 in HHAP Round 3 funds set aside to serve youth and staff are recommending $139,429.00 of these funds be awarded to FEOC to provide four (4) youth bridge shelter beds for those who have met the requirements for permanent housing but are awaiting placement. Staff issued an RFP on August 2, 2023, requesting proposals for services to provide homeless youth services as authorized under Health and Safety Code (HSC) � 50220.7(e) through the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program. The City received two proposals for homeless youth services by the August 29, 2023, deadline. The evaluation committee was comprised of representatives from the Planning and Development Department's Homeless Services Division and Long-Range Planning Division as well as Fresno Housing Authority. On September 14, 2023, the committee evaluated the proposals based on the ability to meet the stated service requirements, conformance with the terms and conditions of the RFP, costs associated with providing services, past performance and experience, and other related information provided. The committee determined FEOC's proposal to be qualified and most responsive to the homeless youth services activities as outlined in the RFP for a total amount of $139,429.00. Based on this evaluation staff recommends awarding FEOC. Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission: Homeless Youth Bridge Housing FEOC's Sanctuary and Support Services will operate four (4) bridge beds for youth ages 18 - 24 experiencing homelessness. Each household will have their own apartment. Each apartment has a working kitchen with appliances, bathroom, heating, and air conditioning. Apartments will be furnished with beds and couches, as well as d�cor. Once youth enter the program, the goal will be to exit them into their own housing situation within six (6) months. Homeless youth will be referred to the program through the Coordinated Entry System, which evaluates the youth's need for housing. During intake, housing staff will review services, program rules and expectations. The clients will meet their assigned case manager who will assist with any additional service needs (i.e. housing searches, counseling, education, mental health linkages). Youth not currently employed or receiving any income will be encouraged to look for employment and referred to employment and training services, located on site during various times of the day. Youth already employed will be encouraged to save a portion of their income for future housing needs when they exit the project. The goal at exit is for youth to become self-sufficient and enter safe, stable, permanent housing. After exit, case management staff will provide aftercare support for 30 days and will follow up in the event the youth need assistance with issues that arise. Referrals and linkages can still be provided to the youth at this time. The recommended agreement with FEOC totals $139,429 annually for homeless youth bridge housing. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS This item is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not applicable because of the use of State funds. FISCAL IMPACT The agreement will be funded through the City's HHAP allocations. Attachments: 1. Agreement with Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission