REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: SANTINO DANISI, MBA, City Controller/Finance Director Finance Department BY: BRANDON SISK, Business Manager Finance Department, Grants Management Unit SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to Southwest Fresno Development Corporation (SWFDC) 1. Approve the Second Amendment to the Grant Agreement with SWFDC modifying the scope of services for the No Place Like Home Initiative ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends Council approve the Second Amendment to the Grant Agreement with SWFDC modifying the scope of services and timeline for the No Place Like Home Initiative specific to Southwest Fresno and those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; and authorize the City Manager to execute amendments and modifications pertaining to this grant program. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Staff recommends Council approve the Second Amendment to the Agreement with SWFDC modifying the scope of services for the No Place Like Home initiative that was previously approved by Council on March 30, 2023. As lead partner, the SWFDC is implementing a program to build wealth and provide affordable housing in Southwest Fresno. Currently the program provides first time homeownership financial literacy to residents in multiple languages, serves residents in transitions to home ownership, and assists potential first-time homeowners with securing public/private down payment assistance resources. The original scope included a portion of funding to purchase four newly built homes in Southwest Fresno providing a lease to homeownership option for graduates of the program. Due to the timing and availability of homes within the Oasis Development on Marks and State Route 180, SWFDC would like to modify this portion of the program to instead partner with the Senior Cottages Project and purchase seven manufactured homes and place them on church grounds at the Westside Church of God. BACKGROUND In 2021, the City of Fresno was awarded American Rescue Plan Act funding in the amount of $170,808,029. Of this funding, $1,000,000 was identified in a resolution passed by Council on November 3, 2022 to allocate to the SWFDC to provide first time homeownership education, down-payment assistance resources and housing assistance and educational services to Southwest Fresno residents that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Agreement was first amended on June 24, 2025 to extend SWFDC's timeline to complete the project to December 31, 2025. SWFDC's approach is to provide technical assistance to Southwest Fresno residents in the form of homeownership classes co-taught by Self Help Enterprises to ensure graduates are eligible for downpayment assistance programs. Along with educational and resource services, originally SWFDC would purchase four newly built homes in Southwest Fresno to provide a lease to homeownership option for graduates of the program. Due to timing constraints of the intended new development, SWFDC wishes to modify the Agreement to partner with the Senior Cottages Project and purchase seven manufactured homes to be placed on the church grounds at Westside Church of God. These homes will be rented to senior citizens within the BIPOC community and provide affordable, dignified housing for this vulnerable population. SWFDC will continue to provide ongoing support, maintenance, loan counseling and foreclosure prevention and education services throughout the program. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING CEQA does not apply at this time since it's just for funding; however, CEQA will need to be completed once the Development Permit Applications have been submitted to the City for review. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference does not apply to this action because this is an amendment to an existing agreement. FISCAL IMPACT This program is funded through American Rescue Plan Act funding and will not impact the general fund. Attachments: Second Amendment SWFDC First Amendment SWFDC Original Agreement SWFDC