HomeMy WebLinkAboutD-3 Staff Report - Prevention and Diversion Addressing HomelessnessSCHEDULED ITEM
D-3
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
VIA: ANN GRAF, DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY &
LIBRARY SERVICES
DATE: JANUARY 17, 2023
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR FUNDING FOR PREVENTION AND DIVERSION PROGRAM
BACKGROUND:
On June 4, 2018, the Azusa City Council adopted the City’s Homeless Plan (Plan to Prevent and Combat
Homelessness) which details services and programs aimed at curbing the number of those experiencing
homelessness locally.
In January of 2019, the cities of Covina, Azusa, Duarte, Glendora and West Covina (Five Cities) applied
for and were selected for a grant award under the 2018 Cities’ Homelessness Plan Implementation Request
for Proposal for Measure H funds. A total of $343,250 was awarded. The Five Cities grant provided
services with Union Station Homeless Services to provide Centralized Entry System (CES) assessment
and intake, housing navigation and intensive case management services for unhoused persons in the five
cities.
On May 31, 2019, the City of Azusa was selected for a grant award under the 2018 Cities’ Homelessness
Plan Implementation Request for Proposal. A total of $111,000 was awarded to enhance County service
systems for those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. This was used for Housing Navigation
services from Union Station Homeless Services directly in Azusa.
In July of 2020 the city received a $190,000 grant from the SGVCOG to further the efforts of the City’s
adopted homeless plan. The city was also allocated funding to develop and implement a homeless
prevention and diversion program that provides services to individuals and families that are at risk of
homelessness. Homeless prevention and diversion programs are targeted towards residents at-risk of
becoming homeless or those that are recently-homeless. The intent of this program is to initiate “problem
solving” conversations with a client in order to identify actions needed to either ensure they remain in
housing or move them quickly into housing. The creation of individual displacement response plans with
potential outcomes based on problem solving conversations would include providing various short-term
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
1/17/2023
Prevention and Diversion
January 17, 2023
Page 2 of 3
assistance to prevent eviction, assistance in housing search and placement, utility deposits, and helping a
client reunite with family members among other diversion program solutions.
The Prevention and Diversion program was developed and integrated into the already established and
successful Neighborhood Connections program.
Neighborhood Connections was developed in 2015 to address complex questions, needs and requests that
were steadily increasing at the Library. A Community Resource Specialist (Social Worker) is a bridge
between services, providers and patrons and connects patrons to resources. This Library based program is
a multi-level community wide resource that also responds to the needs of individuals, families and seniors
experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Applicants are screened by the Community Resource Specialist and undergo a problem solving program
and conversation. Follow up is required monthly as long as they stay on the program. This includes meeting
with our Community Resource Specialist and following up on leads for other resources.
In June of 2022 the City received an additional grant for FY 22-23 of $50,000 from the SGVCOG to
continue the Prevention and Diversion Program. Within the first quarter 50% of the funding had been
expended, and we served over 23 cases, which were comprised of families, couples and individuals. The
City continues to build capacity to reduce the impact of homelessness by expanding on the work of the
library-based Neighborhood Connections program to establish a community-wide approach to homeless
solutions, and a more effective route for community members experiencing homelessness into the
Coordinated Entry System via our partnerships.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends the City Council take the following action:
1) Approve funding for the Prevention and Diversion Plan in the amount of $50,000 for FY 22-23
ANALYSIS:
The number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Azusa has increased dramatically in recent years,
amplified by the opening of the Gold Line. Despite the City’s broad efforts to provide outreach and services
to those experiencing homelessness locally, Azusa’s effectiveness at connecting unsheltered individuals
with services while at the same time ensuring safe, clean and manageable facilities and public spaces is
severely hindered by the City’s lack of local shelter space. Thus, preventing homelessness by keeping
individuals and families housed is key. The homeless prevention and diversion program targets those at
high risk of becoming homeless or those that are recently-homeless.
The additional funding will allow us to continue to serve those who are in the program as we find longer
term solutions and continue to receive clients who are at risk into the program. We intend to connect these
individuals and families to viable solutions until they are able to recover from the experience that created
the crisis.
Access to local emergency shelter beds, temporary, interim and/or permanent housing continues to be the
City’s missing link and greatest obstacle to connecting individuals with stable service opportunities.
Prevention and Diversion
January 17, 2023
Page 3 of 3
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact for FY 22-23 associated with the recommended actions is an increase of $50,000. Staff is
requesting a budget increase of $50,000 in account number 1030511000-6399. Upon Council approval,
staff will prepare a FY22-23 budget amendment and increase the budget by $50,000 under 1030511000-
6399.
Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved by:
Ann Graf Talika M. Johnson
Director of Information Technology Director of Administrative Services
and Library Services
Reviewed and Approved:
Sergio Gonzalez
City Manager