To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOHN LA ROCK, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
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APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH PEOPLE ASSISTING THE HOMELESS (PATH) FOR HOMELESS OUTREACH AND HOUSING NAVIGATION FOR THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000 FOR THE TERM MAY 12, 2020 - MAY 18, 2022
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) has been an effective collaborator since 2016 assisting the City with outreach and housing navigation to individuals experiencing homelessness.
PATH has more than 25 locations throughout California, providing services in more than 140 cities, and more than 1,000 units of permanent supportive housing completed or in development. They help unhoused individuals find permanent housing and provide case management, medical and mental healthcare, benefits advocacy, employment training, and other services to help residency retention. Since 2013, PATH has connected more than 7,500 people to permanent homes.
Working in collaboration with the Police Department and other homeless service providers, the proposed contract with PATH allocates their personnel resources to homeless street outreach in Redondo Beach, appearances at homeless court to support the City Attorney’s homeless diversion pilot program, and providing housing navigation for interim and permanent housing solutions. During the COVID-19 health crisis, PATH continues outreach, providing hygiene kits to people experiencing homelessness and making hotel-stay connections via the State’s Project Roomkey.
Following the original agreement approved on January 19, 2016 and subsequent agreements approved on March 3, 2017 and May 1, 2018, a new agreement has been prepared to maintain the outreach and navigation services of PATH in Redondo Beach through May 18, 2022.
BACKGROUND
In 2012 the Redondo Beach Police Department conducted a comprehensive survey of its homeless population. The goal of the survey was to improve public safety and increase the City's knowledge of this diverse population. The survey spotlighted an even greater homeless population with more complex needs than what was previously believed. The total count at the time of the survey was 180 homeless individuals.
In 2014, the City Manager formed a homeless Task Force whose mission was to find collaborative ways to respond to the challenges faced by the homeless population as well as residents, neighborhoods, businesses, schools, non-profits, churches and safety agencies. Under the direction of the City Manager, the Task Force made several recommendations. A key component of the recommendations was the need to contract with coordinated outreach providers to ensure that all available services were made available to the homeless. PATH was identified as a provider with an extensive industry network, trained staff and a methodology for working with public agencies to address homelessness issues. PATH had previously been selected by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) to work with all COG member cities on homelessness. PATH brings more than 30 years of experience addressing homelessness in California.
Working with the City’s Public Safety Departments as well as on direct outreach and sourcing shelter, PATH interfaces with the Coordinated Entry System (CES). The CES is an initial assessment and needs based tracking program that tailors services and outcomes to the specific needs of each person experiencing homelessness. The goal is always to place an individual into transitional and or permanent housing.
In addition to the collaboration with PATH, the City is also working with the Harbor Interfaith Services (HIS) and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
On January 19, 2016 the City Council approved an agreement with PATH to create, implement and coordinate with Public Safety Officers a service program to address the homeless population in the City. During the term of the agreement, the Police Department and PATH coordinated and provided vital social services to assist the critical need of the growing Redondo Beach homeless population. On March 3, 2017 the City Council approved a renewal of the 2016 agreement for one year to allow for the continuity of ongoing homeless outreach and coordinated services in the City. On May 1, 2018 City Council approved a two-year agreement with PATH through April 30, 2020.
The City’s partnership with PATH to address homelessness is included in the strategies and goals of the City’s approved Homeless Plan that was approved on April 6, 2019. Homeless Plan goals supported by the PATH agreement include:
• Continue to develop and strengthen City’s response to homelessness while ensuring community safety
• Improve and expand local and regional homeless services.
• To prevent homelessness among Redondo Beach residents.
The scope of services from PATH in the new agreement include:
• Street-based intensive care at least 12 hours per week
• Meal program intervention at least 6 hours per week
• Administrative support from Service Planning Area Director of Programs
• Case management to top 10 homeless individuals
• Perform 75 unduplicated contacts with individuals experiencing homelessness
• Connect 20 individuals experiencing homelessness to interim housing
• Appear in Court to participate in the City’s Homeless Court Diversion Program
Funding for the two-year agreement with PATH is available from remaining funds in the former Redevelopment Agency as well as the approved budget of the Redondo Beach Housing Authority.
PATH also has an agreement with the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) to provide regional services to the homeless population in the South Bay; the City receives proportional homeless services from PATH under the SBCCOG agreement in addition to those provided by the proposed new agreement. The services provided through the COG will cover the period April 30-May 12, 2020 which is not covered by the current or new agreement between PATH and the City. There will be no reduction in services during this time.
COORDINATION
The Agreement has been approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the proposed agreement is available from carryover funds from the former Redevelopment Agency as well as from the Redondo Beach Housing Authority’s HUD Administrative funding.
Funding Expenditures
$50,000 Former Redevelopment Agency $50,000 2020-21 PATH Agreement
$50,000 Former Redevelopment Agency $50,000 2021-22 PATH Agreement
APPROVED BY:
Joe Hoefgen, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Agreement-People Assisting the Homeless (PATH)