TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
George Gabriel, Assistant to the City Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Quarterly Update on the City’s Homelessness Initiatives Including:
a) Consideration of a Resolution Approving Amendment No. 5 with Harbor Interfaith Services for Measure H Grant Funded Homeless Case Management and Housing Navigation Services which modifies the Fee Schedule and Increases the Not-to-Exceed Amount by $27,832;
b) Consideration of a Resolution Approving Amendment No. 2 to the Memorandum of Understanding with the South Bay Cities Council of Governments for Measure H Grant Funding to Provide Homelessness Case Management Services to the Cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo and Redondo Beach and modifies the Fee Schedule and Increases the Not-to-Exceed Amount by $27,832 (City Manager Moe).
(Estimated Time: 30 Mins.)
A) RECEIVE REPORT
B) ADOPT RESOLUTION NOS. 24-0020 AND 24-0021
C) APPROPRIATE FUNDS
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Receive the report detailing various efforts and initiatives staff is undertaking regarding homelessness;
2. Adopt Resolution No. 24-0020 approving Amendment No. 5 with Harbor Interfaith Services for Measure H grant funded homeless case management and housing navigation services which modifies the fee schedule and increases the not-to-exceed amount by $27,832;
3. Adopt Resolution No. 24-0021 approving Amendment No. 2 to the Memorandum of Understanding with the South Bay Cities Council of Governments for Measure H grant funding to provide homelessness case management services to the Cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo and Redondo Beach and modifies the fee schedule and increases the not-to-exceed amount by $27,832
4. Appropriate $27,832 from the unreserved General Fund Balance and adjust revenues by the same amount; and
5. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to negotiate and execute both contract amendments.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
An additional appropriation of $27,832 is needed from the unreserved General Fund balance to provide Homelessness Case Management Services. Revenues will be adjusted by the same amount to account for the additional grant funds to be received from SBCCOG as a reimbursement for providing these services.
BACKGROUND:
The City has taken an active role in addressing homelessness both strategically and regionally. In doing so, the City is doing everything possible to assist homeless individuals in obtaining the services needed while respecting their rights. Over the past three years the City of Manhattan Beach has taken the following actions thus far:
• Approved the “Five-Year Plan to Address Homelessness in our Community” that created goals that align with the County of Los Angeles’s objectives;
• Appointed a Homelessness Liaison responsible for homelessness initiatives and concerns;
• Participated in the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Counts to assist with understanding the size and scope of homelessness. Fifteen individuals were counted in Manhattan Beach in 2020 (down from 41 individuals in 2018 and 21 in 2019);
• Created a Homelessness Task Force of 11 residents and stakeholders to assist in: 1) developing a proposal to obtain County Measure H funds, and 2) conducting community outreach/education on homelessness;
• Increased the number of mental health clinicians provided by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health available to the Manhattan Beach Police Department to address mentally ill homeless individuals;
• Created a “Homeless Outreach” unit in the Police Department, across daytime and graveyard shifts, to specifically address homeless calls for service;
• Created and distributed a Homeless Resource Guide and card that summarizes a variety of resources and phone numbers to refer to for residents and those experiencing homelessness;
• Received a $330,666 grant from the County of Los Angeles to offer case management and coordination services to homeless individuals in the cities of Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach.
• Executed a City Homelessness Plan Implementation Grant (i.e. South Bay Beach Cities Homelessness Project) contract with the County of Los Angeles that provides homeless coordination, case management and trainings in the beach cities of Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo.
• In conjunction with the above grant, developed specifications in order to obtain proposals from qualified service providers to assist in moving people off the streets into interim and permanent housing. As a result, awarded a subcontract to a qualified homeless services firm, Harbor Interfaith Services (HIS), to provide:
o A full-time Homeless Coordinator/City Liaison to leverage the cities’ fiscal and administrative resources to systematize, coordinate and help oversee multi-sectoral homeless efforts to enhance and expand regional access to services.
o The development of internal city-level homelessness response protocols and beach city regional response;
o Tailored training material and instructors to lead training sessions with staff;
o An annual homelessness stakeholder roundtable/community meeting;
o Two full-time Homeless Outreach Housing Navigator to assist homeless individuals and families by getting individual “document ready;” and make successful referrals to interim housing, treatment centers, and permanent housing.
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Manhattan Beach, the City of Redondo Beach and the City of Hermosa Beach to implement the South Bay Beach Cities Homelessness Project for homeless coordination, housing navigation and training services;
• Developed a regional response document that focuses on the South Bay Beach Cities outreach response by creating a singular outreach process, identifying the role of key city departments/leads, establishing outreach protocol for persons experiencing homelessness, and providing a contact list of homeless services providers;
• Promoted the Los Angeles Homeless Outreach Portal (LA-HOP) web-based portal to make it easier to request coordinated county services for homeless individuals and ensure constituents can easily submit requests for homeless outreach;
• Conducted community and staff trainings to learn about the local response and partnerships forming to support people experiencing homelessness;
• Explored the use of homeless court services with the City of Redondo Beach and the Los Angeles County District Attorney;
• Approved an agreement with Harbor Interfaith Services for dedicated homeless case management and housing navigation services to Manhattan Beach in the amount of $66,390. Thereafter, the City Council approved an amendment extending for an additional year for a total contract award of $139,020 (a modification to this agreement is being considered by the Council in this report);
• Approved an agreement with Emotional Health Association (doing business as SHARE! Self Help and Recovery Exchange) for housing placement services in the amount of $19,320; Thereafter, the City Council approved an amendment increasing the number of beds for two to five for a total contract award of $38,020;
• Applied for a second round of County Measure H grant funding with the South Bay Cities Council of Government (SBCCOG) and was awarded $216,000 in grant funding for two outreach workers to service the cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo;
• Sent a letter to Governor Newsom in support of the proposed framework for the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program which would use the judicial system to compel people suffering from severe mental illness and/or addiction into treatment and, for those who are unhoused, into housing; and
• Received approval from all respective City Councils and the SBCCOG to execute a Memorandum of Understanding to provide the following outcomes as a result of the $216,000 grant award:
o 50 unduplicated clients serviced in outreach;
o 30 unduplicated clients added to Coordinated Entry System;
o 30 unduplicated clients receive case management services;
o 20 unduplicated clients housed in interim housing; and
o 8 unduplicated clients permanently housed.
DISCUSSION:
On a quarterly basis, the City provides an update to the City Council and community on homelessness initiatives that staff that has undertaken as well as regional developments. For the purposes of this report, efforts will focus on those relevant since the last quarterly update on November 21, 2023. Below is a list of those updates.
Homeless Count and CityNet Homeless Census Proposal
On January 24, 2024, approximately 30 volunteers gathered at the Joslyn Community Center to conduct the 2024 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count in Manhattan Beach. At the event, volunteers were introduced to City officials and briefed on the City’s response to homelessness including the City’s actions to utilize General Fund and grant funded money. Most importantly, volunteers were introduced to the Police Department’s homeless outreach team as well as the City’s contracted Outreach Services Worker. While conducting the count, the Outreach Services Worker was deployed to assist some homeless individuals that were tallied by homeless count volunteers.
While the 2024 official count data has not been released by LAHSA, the City has unofficial data to reflect what was observed by reports from volunteers this year. The unofficial breakdown of the homelessness count in Manhattan Beach for 2024 is summarized below.
Unsheltered Persons Counted
Persons on the Street - 2
Persons in Cars - 0
Persons in Vans - 0
Persons in RV’s or Campers - 0
Persons in Tents - 0
Persons in Makeshift Shelters - 0
Total - 2.0
Vehicles and Dwellings Counted
Cars - 2
Vans - 0
Campers/RV’s - 0
Makeshift Shelter - 0
Tents - 0
Total - 2.0
Based on this unofficial number, the number of unsheltered persons counted (two) decreased from the prior year’s calculation (nine). Additionally, it should be noted that the vehicles and dwelling counted (two) is subject to LAHSA’s conversion factor. The conversion factor allows LAHSA statisticians to estimate the number of homeless individuals within a vehicle or dwelling when it is unknown how many individuals are located in vehicles, tents, or makeshift shelters. Additionally, it should be noted that this year, LAHSA restricted volunteers from counting individuals on Sepulveda Boulevard to ensure volunteer safety.
As evident by recent data, the City’s actions dedicating resources to enhance the lives of people experiencing homelessness have been impactful as Manhattan Beach has seen consecutive reductions in the number of unhoused individuals counted by Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). In 2018 when the City began taking an active role in addressing homelessness, the point-in-time count revealed 41 unhoused individuals living in Manhattan Beach. Since then, the number of homeless individuals counted has decreased by year as follows:
• 2018 - 41 individuals
• 2019 - 21 individuals
• 2020 - 15 individuals
• 2021 - Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic
• 2022 - 9 individuals
• 2023 - 9 individuals (unofficial)
At this point, it is unlikely that official city level results will be released by LAHSA as concerns over the statistical validity of the data (at the city level) have been raised by various cities and the SBCCOG.
To provide a more accurate level of data, the SBCCOG is currently exploring contracting with the City of Redondo Beach’s contractor, CityNet, to provide a regional homeless count that provides accurate and detailed data on the homeless population by city.
The SBCCOG received a proposal from CityNet for homeless census services. Based on costs provided in December 2023, census services were quoted for:
• Proposal #1 - $176,753 for Gardena, Hawthorne, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach; and
• Proposal #2 - $387,943 for Gardena, Hawthorne, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Carson, El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, and Torrance.
The SBCCOG continues to explore this service and is looking to identify funding. Staff will return to Council with further information during a future update.
Manhattan Beach Outreach Metrics
Following Council’s action to approve an agreement with Harbor Interfaith Services for dedicated housing navigation/case management services in November 2021, the Outreach Services Worker was assigned to Manhattan Beach in January 2022 and began working at the Police Department in February 2022.
The Outreach Services Worker has now completed 2 years and 1 month of service as the City’s dedicated resource. On a daily basis, she typically has 2-4 interactions with homeless individuals and actively manages approximately 10 clients who are interested in services. On a monthly basis, Harbor Interfaith Services provides an individualized report to Manhattan Beach (see attachment) that summarizes key metrics and progress toward goals outlined in the contract.
In summarizing her reportable metric work, the following information reflects data from January 2023 - January 2024 and is summarized below:
• 477 interactions with homeless individuals (including repeat interactions with the same individuals);
• 97 unique clients assisted;
• 20 clients case managed (regular engagement centered around a housing plan);
• 34 clients assisted with document production or enrolled with benefits;
• 21 clients referred into interim housing;
• 6 treatment program referrals attained; and
• 10 stable housing placements.
Beach Cities Regional Outreach MOU and HIS Subcontract
To continue building upon the success of the collaboration with the beach cities of Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and El Segundo, staff is recommending amending the MOU and associated subcontract with HIS to address a fiscal authority shortfall. Currently, the MOU and HIS agreement have fiscal authority to expend up to $216,000 until November 2024. In anticipation of a funding shortfall, staff is amending both agreements to increase the fiscal expenditures and revenues authority by $27,832 to ensure there is funding until November 2024.
SHARE! Collaborative Housing
As reported at the June 6, 2023, City Council meeting, staff reported that the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) committed to funding up to five beds for the City and offering the entire region SHARE! beds for use at approximately $350,000.
As promised, the SBCCOG and SHARE! executed an agreement that provided housing for up to 30 individuals with a provision that ensures five beds are reserved for the City of Manhattan Beach. Beginning on September 2023, the City’s contract with SHARE! expired at which time the City began relying on the SBCCOG for services. Since September 2023, the SBCCOG has funded housing for four individuals experiencing homelessness in Manhattan Beach.
Thus far, the City has had a smooth transition in management of the SHARE! Collaborative Housing services to the SBCCOG. In fact, the SBCCOG, has funded interim housing for eight unique individuals since September 2023. In total, this has amounted to approximately $13,200 in cost savings to the City. Additionally, the SBCCOG has afforded the City flexibility with housing more than the allotted five individuals as well, thereby increasing the City’s housing capacity.
CARE Court and Diversion Program Development
Since March 2021, the City Council has been exploring the possibility of adding homeless court services by engaging with the County District Attorney, or contracting with the City of Redondo Beach for homeless court and prosecution services. Thus far, the County District Attorney has not provided the legally required authorization to execute an agreement with the City of Redondo Beach to provide such services.
As a City with demonstrated interest in adding homeless court services, the City of Manhattan Beach indicated support for Governor Newsom’s CARE Court proposal (which passed the state legislature) at the April 5, 2022, City Council meeting. In accordance with this framework the County of Los Angeles may be required to enact homeless court services for the City of Manhattan Beach. The City continues to await guidance from the County and looks forward to collaborating.
In the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 City Council Work Plan, Council added a Work Plan item to explore creating a homeless court diversion program. Recently, the City amended the agreement with the City’s legal counsel, Richards, Watson and Gershon to add prosecution services. Doing so may provide a vehicle to conduct homeless court services in the City.
As mentioned in the background section of the report, the City supported the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court Program sponsored by the Governor. Thereafter, the CARE Act was passed by the State legislature and on December 1, 2023, Los Angeles County implemented the CARE Act. Beginning in December 2023, qualifying individuals or entities can now petition the Superior Court of Los Angeles County to help connect eligible individuals to a broad array of services, including mental health and housing services.
Since the program’s inception, staff has not identified an individual that could qualify for a petition and participate in a CARE Court opportunity. In anticipation of an individual being identified, the Homeless Liaison, City Prosecutor, Outreach Worker and Police Department staff participated in the SBCCOG homeless services task force meeting on February 11, 2024, where a presentation on “Care Court Logistics” was provided by Jennifer Hunt, Acting Senior Deputy Director of Reentry Services, from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Staff has attached the PowerPoint presentation provided for reference.
“Measure H 2.0” Ballot Measure
Council will recall that Los Angeles County voters approved a countywide ballot measure on the March 7, 2017 which imposed a 10-year, ¼ cent sales tax to help fund housing and support services for the homeless population throughout the County. With the upcoming expiration of Measure H scheduled for March 2027, Los Angeles County stakeholders have been discussing the future of homeless housing and service funding.
Currently, there are efforts underway to place a measure on the November 5, 2024, ballot to extend the 10-year, ¼ cent sales tax to help fund housing and support services for the County’s homeless population. The ballot initiative (i.e. Measure H 2.0) is being circulated by the non-profit organization, United Way of Greater Los Angeles (United Way). As of today, signatures are still being gathered to place the ballot initiative and has not yet qualified for the ballot. However, there are three important notes regarding this ballot measure:
1. Currently, Measure H is scheduled to expire in March 2027. Measure H 2.0 does not have a sunset clause and can only be repealed by the voters;
2. Measure H 2.0 does not impact the sales tax limit imposed by the State. Assembly Bill 1679 passed by the Legislature last year, authorizes L.A. County to impose a new sales tax of up to 0.5% that “in combination with other transactions and use taxes, would exceed the above described combined rate limit of 2%” under certain conditions. The bill is a special statute for the County of Los Angeles and therefore would not infringe upon the City’s ability to raise the sales tax beyond the 10.25% sales tax cap now or in the future; and
3. Measure H 2.0 does not have a direct allocation for cities to cover costs of homeless services. Therefore, cities would likely continue to apply for Measure H funding with their respective Council of Governments to receive funding.
Regional Mental Health Crisis Response
At the May 17, 2022, quarterly homeless update, staff reported that one of the key issues identified for regional coordination and collaboration has been alternative crisis response for people experiencing homelessness and mental health crises. Recently, staff at the SBCCOG homeless response team met with staff representatives of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and El Segundo and discussed the possibility of creating a regional mobile crisis outreach team aimed at addressing homeless individuals with mental health needs.
This model is utilized by some municipal agencies in the County of Orange to provide: assessment and stabilization of individuals experiencing mental health or substance use challenges, information and referrals to mental health or homeless services, transportation to services, additional follow-up support and case management. The goal of the mental health crisis response program is intended to support law enforcement and emergency medical response with an immediate clinically-effective and cost-effective response to mental illness, substance use and homelessness.
Since that update, funding has been identified for some cities. In January 2023, the City of Hermosa Beach announced it would receive $1 million in federal funding to launch a mobile crisis response pilot program to provide help to people experiencing homelessness and mental health crises. Additionally, the City of Redondo Beach secured $500,000 in funding from Health Net, LLC, a health insurance provider, to develop their own mental health crisis response program. To ensure regional alignment, the SBCCOG is working toward identifying funding for Manhattan Beach and El Segundo to provide equitable services. Staff is working with the SBCCOG to determine if funding can be identified and may bring a proposal to the City Council but preliminary estimates suggest approximately $500,000 would need to be identified on an annual basis to make the program viable.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Receive the report detailing various efforts and initiatives staff is undertaking regarding homelessness;
2. Adopt Resolution No. 24-0020 approving Amendment No. 5 with Harbor Interfaith Services for Measure H grant funded homeless case management and housing navigation services which modifies the fee schedule and increases the not-to-exceed amount by $27,832;
3. Adopt Resolution No. 24-0021 approving Amendment No. 2 to the Memorandum of Understanding with the South Bay Cities Council of Governments for Measure H grant funding to provide homelessness case management services to the Cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo and Redondo Beach and modifies the fee schedule and increases the not-to-exceed amount by $27,832;
4. Appropriate $27,832 from the unreserved General Fund Balance and adjust revenues by the same amount; and
5. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to negotiate and execute both contract amendments.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has approved the agreements as to form.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 24-0020
2. Amendment No. 5 - Harbor Interfaith Services
3. Agreement and Amendment Nos. 1-4 - Harbor Interfaith Services
4. Resolution No. 24-0021
5. Amendment No. 2 - MOU with SBCCOG and Cities of El Segundo, Redondo Beach, and Hermosa Beach
6. MOU and Amendment No. 1 - SBCCOG and Cities of El Segundo, Redondo Beach, and Hermosa Beach
7. Manhattan Beach Outreach Program Outcomes
8. CARE Court Presentation by County Department of Mental Health
9. Regional Mental Health Response Presentation by SBCCOG
10. City of Redondo Beach 2023 Homeless Census Comparison Report by CityNet
11. PowerPoint Presentation