REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director Planning and Development Department PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director Planning and Development Department BY: ERIKA LOPEZ, Senior Management Analyst, Housing and Community Development Division SUBJECT ..Title Approve agreement between the City of Fresno and Elevate Community Services, Inc. in the amount of $1,664,000 in Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds for emergency shelter operations at the Travel Inn. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council approve an agreement between the City of Fresno and Elevate Community Services, Inc. (Elevate) for the emergency shelter operations at the Travel Inn. This agreement will provide $1,644,000 in CDBG-CV funds for emergency shelter, including operations and supportive services provided to homeless individuals impacted by COVID-19. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Fresno (City) purchased the Travel Inn and Suites in 2021 and completed repairs to operate the motel as a low barrier homeless shelter. The City entered into an Emergency Solutions Grant - Coronavirus (ESG-CV) agreement with Comprehensive Addition Programs (CAP) to operate Travel Inn as an emergency shelter through June 30, 2022. In order to continue the emergency shelter operations at Travel Inn for homeless individuals impacted by COVID-19, the City must enter into a CDBG-CV agreement with Elevate from July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023. Elevate will provide shelter to homeless individuals and connect them to other supportive services, in addition to providing case management. BACKGROUND On January 11, 2021, the City purchased the Travel Inn and Suites. The Travel Inn was repaired to operate as a low barrier homeless shelter/triage center. On February 18, 2021, Council approved Substantial Amendment 2019-06 to the 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan allowing for the use of CDBG-CV and ESG-CV funds for emergency shelter operations and supportive services at Travel Inn, among other eligible activities. The City completed repairs to the Travel Inn June 30, 2021. On June 24, 2021, Council approved an agreement with Comprehensive Addiction Programs (CAP) to operate Travel Inn as an emergency shelter using Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) and ESG-CV funding through June 30, 2022. At the request of the management team that oversees operations of both CAP and Elevate, this agreement will be with Elevate who has taken over all homeless services so CAP can focus on providing substance abuse treatment. The City currently has two other contracts with Elevate to provide homeless shelter operations at Villa Motel and Ambassador Inn. There will be no impact on the services provided at Travel Inn as all staff will continue to be supported by the same leadership team. To continue the emergency shelter operations at Travel Inn, the City must enter into a new agreement. The proposed agreement with Elevate provides $1,664,000 in CDBG-CV funds for the operation of Travel Inn as an emergency shelter from July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023 for homeless individuals impacted by COVID-19. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS This is not a project for purposes of CEQA pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15378. These plans, strategies and studies are Categorically Excluded Not Subject to Section 58.5 Pursuant to 24 CFR Part 58.34(a) and 58.35(b) under HUD NEPA Requirements (24 CFR 58.35 (b) (2) (3)). LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not applicable because of the use of federal funding. FISCAL IMPACT The agreement will be funded through the City's CDBG-CV allocations. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A - Agreement