REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director Planning and Development Department PHIL SKEI, Assistant Director Planning and Development Department BY: CRYSTAL SILVA, Senior Management Analyst, Homeless Services Division SUBJECT ..Title Approve a Service Agreement with the Housing Authority of the City of Fresno, California (Fresno Housing) to operate the following two shelters: 1. Golden State Triage Center is located at 1415 W. Olive Avenue, a shelter offering 50 units for individuals experiencing homelessness. The agreement term is from July 1, 2025, through November 15, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $539,696.00 utilizing Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funding. (Council District 3) (Bid File No. 12500851) and; 2. Journey Home is located at 777 N. Parkway Drive, a shelter offering 76 units for individuals experiencing homelessness. The agreement term is from July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, in the total amount of $949,507.58 utilizing with Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funding. (Council District 3) (Bid File No. 12500851) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends City Council approve service agreements with the Fresno Housing for emergency shelter operations at Golden State Triage Center (50 beds) in the total amount of $539,696.00 and at Journey Home (80 beds) in the total amount of $949,507.58 and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to sign all implementing agreements. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Fresno (City) issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on October 18, 2024 seeking to provide emergency shelter operation services in alignment with the requirements of the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) program. The RFQ resulted in the submission of five (5) proposals and all five (5) were determined to be qualified. Of those deemed qualified, only Fresno Housing Authority, Elevate Community Services, and Turning Point of Central California sought to be qualified for a 50-bed shelter, while Fresno Housing Authority was the only operator who sought qualification for an 80-bed shelter. Based on the evaluation of the response from Fresno Housing, Staff recommends awarding Fresno Housing the following contracts to oversee the operation and coordination of services of emergency shelters: Golden State Triage Center (50 beds) in the amount of $539,696.00 and Journey Home (80 beds) in the amount of $949,507.58. BACKGROUND In February 2020, The City was awarded HHAP funding in the amount of $6,158,246.18 from the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council to address Homelessness. In September 2021 the City received $2,911,171 in a second round of HHAP allocations. In January 2023 the City received a total of $7,524,257.15 in a third round of HHAP allocations. In July 2023 the City received $11,265,425.10 in a fourth round of HHAP allocation, and in October 2024 the City received notification of $13,096,671.82 allocation in a fifth round of HHAP allocation. Health and Safety Code Section 50220.5(d) allows program recipients to use their allocation for operating subsidies in new and existing emergency shelters, as well as for services coordination for homeless populations. To utilize this funding, staff issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on October 18, 2024, soliciting proposals for the operation of triage centers/emergency shelters and coordination of services. The City received five proposals by the December 17, 2024, deadline. A selection panel, comprising of representatives from the City's Housing and Community Development, Homeless Services, and Homeless Assistance Response Team (HART) Divisions within the Planning and Development Department, along with a representative from the City of San Jose, evaluated the proposals. The evaluation criteria included the ability to meet service requirements, conformance with RFQ terms and conditions, cost efficiency, past performance, and related qualifications. Following a thorough review, the panel determined that Fresno Housing's proposal was both qualified and most responsive to operate Golden State Triage Center with a proposed award of $539,696.00 and Journey Home with a proposed award of $949,507.58. Based on the evaluation, staff recommends awarding Fresno Housing as the operator of the Golden State Triage Center and Journey Home. The Housing Authority of the City of Fresno (Fresno Housing) - CEO Tyrone Roderick Williams: Golden State Triage Center and Journey Home The Housing Authority of the City of Fresno, California ("Fresno Housing") has been Fresno County's leading affordable housing provider for over 75 years, assisting more than 20,000 families. Its mission is to provide safe, affordable housing for low- to moderate-income families while fostering environments that support self-sufficiency. Fresno Housing ensures a low-barrier, housing-first model without prerequisites, allowing participants to remain on-site during the day without mandatory substance testing. Personal belongings are welcomed, and each client is assigned storage areas to maintain organization and safety. The shelter follows an inclusive access policy, ensuring beds are available regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally, participants may be absent for up to 72 hours without losing their bed, with exceptions made for extenuating circumstances. Case managers conduct assessments to determine the most suitable housing options for participants. These options may include affordable housing, senior living facilities, boarding care, and rental opportunities, with or without subsidies. By tailoring recommendations to individual needs, case managers help ensure stable and appropriate housing placements. Support continues even after participants exit the program through ongoing case management. This includes assessment and planning to identify barriers to safety and housing, as well as linking individuals to essential resources such as counseling, legal aid, job training, and housing assistance. Regular check-ins are conducted through weekly case management sessions and 30-day plan evaluations to monitor progress and address challenges. A well-structured exit strategy ensures a coordinated transition into permanent housing, while extended support services, including community case management and relocation assistance, help maintain long-term stability. Services provided to clients include: * Housing & Employment Support - Assistance in obtaining necessary documents. * Mainstream Benefits Linkages - Support in accessing public benefits and resources. * Healthcare & Treatment - Referrals for medical care, mental health services, and substance use treatment. * Job Readiness & Training - Resume building, job search strategies, and workplace skills development. * Financial Literacy - Budgeting, saving, and debt management guidance. * Transportation Assistance - Support for accessing essential services and housing-related appointments. * Personalized Housing Plans - Case management staff work closely with participants to develop individualized plans. The proposed agreements with Fresno Housing, totaling $539,696.00 for Golden State Triage Center and $949,507.58 for Journey Home, comply with Health and Safety Code Section 50220.5(d) and will provide 126 beds to serve the homeless community. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS This 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 HHAP allocations. Attachments: Fresno Housing Service Agreement - Golden State Triage Center Fresno Housing Service Agreement - Journey Home