HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE AGENDA

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

10:00 am

73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Room 119 Palm Desert, CA 92260

760-346-1127

THIS MEETING IS HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE. ACTION MAY RESULT ON ANY ITEMS ON THIS AGENDA.

1. CALL TO ORDER - Chair Christy Holstege, Councilmember, City of Palm Springs

2. ROLL CALL A. Member Roster

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3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS Any person wishing to address the Committee on items appearing on this agenda may do so at this time. Please limit comments to 3 minutes. Additional time may be permitted at the discretion of the Chair.

5. CHAIR / DIRECTOR ANNOUNCEMENTS

6. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approve September 18, 2019 Committee Meeting Minutes

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7. DISCUSSION / ACTION A. Presentation on Riverside County 2020 Point In Time Count

Recommendation: Information Only

B. Update on SCAG Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) and Allocation Methodology – Councilmember Megan Beaman Jacinto, City of Indio Recommendation: Information only

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C. Coachella Valley Homelessness Collaborative Planning Update – Greg Rodriguez Recommendation: Information Only

D. Update on CV Housing First Request for Proposals – Tom Cox

Recommendation: (1) As Phase 1 of CV Housing First program for 2020, authorize Executive Director

to negotiate and execute an agreement with Path of Life Ministries to provide street outreach, supportive services, and crisis stabilization/bridge housing from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020;

(2) Authorize Executive Director to take steps necessary to modify funding agreements with Riverside County as necessary to effectuate and meet County requirements; and

(3) Authorize Executive Director to enter into agreements with the City of Palm Springs and other entities as necessary for in-kind use of City-owned facilities to deliver services through daytime access centers as part of CV Housing First program.

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8. INFORMATION A. Attendance Record

B. Desert Sun Analysis of Homeless Programs Performance, 10/25/19

C. Ex Officio Updates

D. CVAG Homelessness Fund Financial Report

E. CV Housing First FY19/20 Quarterly Performance Report

F. Clarification of CV Housing First Contract Term Ending December 31, 2019

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9. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Any person wishing to address the Homelessness Committee on items that are within the purview of the Committee that are not on this agenda may do so at this time. Please limit comments to 2 minutes. Additional time may be permitted at the discretion of the Chair.

10. ANNOUNCEMENTS Upcoming meetings at CVAG, 73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Room 119, Palm Desert:

• Executive Committee – December 2 at 4:30 pm

• Homelessness Committee – January 15 at 10 am

11. ADJOURN

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Item 2A

VOTING MEMBERS

City of Blythe Mayor Dale Reynolds

City of Cathedral City Mayor Mark Carnevale

City of Coachella Councilmember Josie Gonzalez

City of Desert Hot Springs Mayor Pro Tem Jan Pye

City of Indian Wells Councilmember Kimberly Muzik

City of Indio Councilmember Elaine Holmes

City of La Quinta Councilmember John Peña – Vice Chair

City of Palm Desert Councilmember Sabby Jonathan

City of Palm Springs Councilmember Christy Holstege – Chair

City of Rancho Mirage Councilmember Charles Townsend

Riverside County – District 4 Supervisor V. Manuel Perez

Desert Healthcare District Director Carole Rogers, RN

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Unassigned

Cabazon Band of Mission Indians Unassigned

Ex-Officio / Non-Voting Members

Julie Bornstein, Executive Director, Coachella Valley Housing Coalition

Darla Burkett, Executive Director, Coachella Valley Rescue Mission

Paul Flores, Director of Outreach, Health to Hope

Julie Reay, Executive Director, HomeAid Inland Empire

Kristina Starkey, Donor Relations Director, The Salvation Army

Angelina Coe, Executive Director, Shelter From the Storm

Additional Support Staff

Casey Jackson, Path of Life Ministries Dr. Conrado Bàrzaga, CEO, Desert Healthcare District

Tanya Torno, Senior Development Specialist, Riverside County Housing Authority

Jennifer Claar, Assistant Director, Riverside County Department of Public Social Services

Marcus Cannon, Behavioral Health Services Supervisor, Riverside University Health System-Behavioral Health

Natalie Komuro, Deputy County Executive Officer – Homelessness Solutions

Staff

Tom Kirk, Executive Director

Greg Rodriguez

Tom Cox

Libby Carlson

Updated 11-15-2019

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Item 6A

Audio for this meeting can be found online at: http://www.cvag.org/audio.htm

1. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by Chair Holstege at 10:00 am at 73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.

2. ROLL CALL - Roll call was taken and it was determined that a quorum was present.

Members Present

Agency Member City of Cathedral City Mayor Mark Carnevale City of Coachella Councilmember Josie Gonzalez City of Desert Hot Springs Mayor Pro Tem Jan Pye City of Indian Wells Councilmember Kimberly Muzik City of Indio Councilmember Elaine Holmes City of La Quinta Councilmember John Peña, Vice Chair City of Palm Desert Councilmember Sabby Jonathan City of Palm Springs Councilmember Christy Holstege, Chair City of Rancho Mirage Councilmember Charles Townsend Riverside County District 4 Stephanie Virgen

Ex Officio Members Present

Agency Representative Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Darla Burkett Martha’s Village & Kitchen Linda Barrack Shelter from the Storm Angelina Coe

Members & Ex-Officios Not Present

Agency Representative City of Blythe Mayor Dale Reynolds Desert Healthcare District Director Carole Rogers Coachella Valley Housing Coalition Julie Bornstein HomeAid Inland Empire Julie Reay Health to Hope Paul Flores The Salvation Army Kristina Starkey

Others Present

Agency Representative Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Margaret Park Blythe City Council Johnny Rodriguez City of Palm Desert Chris Gerry City of Rancho Mirage Deanna Mendra CVAG/Riverside County Greg Rodriguez CVAG Tom Kirk CVAG Libby Carlson CVAG Erica Felci

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CVRM Mark McGowan Desert Aids Project Bruce Yeager Desert Healthcare District Dr. Conrado Bàrzaga Desert Healthcare District Chris Christensen Desert Healthcare District Donna Craig Desert Sun Nicole Hayden JFS of the Desert Maureen Forman National CORE Tony Mize Olive Crest Julie Jeffery Path of Life Ministries Leonard Jarman PS USD Deanna Bretado-Chavez Rancho Mirage resident Brad Anderson Riverside County Natalie Komuro Riverside County Housing Authority Tanya Torno RUHS-Behavioral Health Marcus Cannon RUHS-Behavioral Health Donna Silva RUHS-Behavioral Health Alex Sanchez Riverside County DPSS Toney Ortego Riverside County Probation Department Chris Wright Shea’s Veteran Center Judy Shea Street Life Project Christian Jelmsberg Well In the Desert Sandra Curry Well In the Desert Harry Stone Well In the Desert Stu Berger

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Vice Chair Peña.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS

• Judy Shea, Brad Anderson, and Christian Jelmsberg addressed the Committee.

5. CHAIR / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS

• Chair Holstege gave an update on the pending $10M State Budget allocation for addressing homelessness in Palm Springs.

• Dr. Conrado Bàrzaga, CEO of Desert Healthcare District/Foundation, introduced himself.

6. CONSENT CALENDAR

A. Approve the July 17, 2019 Homeless Committee Meeting Minutes

IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER TOWNSEND TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 17, 2019 HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE MEETING.

THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 10 AYES AND 2 ABSENT.

Mayor Dale Reynolds Absent Mayor Mark Carnevale Aye Councilmember Josie Gonzalez Aye

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Mayor Pro Tem Jan Pye Aye Councilmember Kimberly Muzik Aye Councilmember Elaine Holmes Aye Councilmember John Peña Aye Councilmember Sabby Jonathan Aye Councilmember Christy Holstege Aye Councilmember Charles Townsend Aye Director Carole Rogers Absent Stephanie Virgen Aye

B. Authorize Chair to Sign Amendment #2 to Grant Agreement with Riverside County Department of Public Social Services in the Amount of $359,711 for CV Housing First

IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER TOWNSEND AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PEÑA TO AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN AMEDMENT #2 TO THE GRANT AGREEMENT WITH RIVERSIDE COUNTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $359,711 FOR CV HOUSING FIRST.

THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 10 AYES AND 2 ABSENT.

Mayor Dale Reynolds Absent Mayor Mark Carnevale Aye Councilmember Josie Gonzalez Aye Mayor Pro Tem Jan Pye Aye Councilmember Kimberly Muzik Aye Councilmember Elaine Holmes Aye Councilmember John Peña Aye Councilmember Sabby Jonathan Aye Councilmember Christy Holstege Aye Councilmember Charles Townsend Aye Director Carole Rogers Absent Stephanie Virgen Aye

7. DISCUSSION / ACTION

A. Update on Summer Overnight Cooling Centers in Western Coachella Valley Greg Rodriguez gave an update on logistics, operations, and outcomes for the project. Greg also reported on a request to extend the summer overnight cooling centers for 3 months. Tom Kirk provided additional information on strategies to link participants to services as the project winds down.

B. Homelessness Collaborative Planning Update

Greg Rodriguez gave an update on activities to establish a regional homelessness collaborative, including next steps leading up to a launch in November 2019.

C. CV Housing First Request for Proposals Update Greg Rodriguez reported on the number of proposals received, the evaluation process and timeline, including the review panel’s recommendation to extend the contract with Path of Life in order to prevent a gap in services while the evaluation process continues. Mayor Pro Tem

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Pye added the caveat that Path of Life be directed to assist with outreach and referrals as the temporary cooling centers project comes to an end.

IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER JONATHAN AND SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM PYE TO APPROVE AMEDMENT #5 TO THE CONTRACT WITH PATH OF LIFE MINISTRIES TO EXTEND SERVICES THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2019, WITH AN ADDITIONAL BUDGET NOT TO EXCEED $200,000.

THE MOTION CARRIED WITH 10 AYES AND 2 ABSENT.

Mayor Dale Reynolds Absent Mayor Mark Carnevale Aye Councilmember Josie Gonzalez Aye Mayor Pro Tem Jan Pye Aye Councilmember Kimberly Muzik Aye Councilmember Elaine Holmes Aye Councilmember John Peña Aye Councilmember Sabby Jonathan Aye Councilmember Christy Holstege Aye Councilmember Charles Townsend Aye Director Carole Rogers Absent Stephanie Virgen Aye

8. INFORMATION

A. Attendance Record

B. Ex Officio Updates

• Natalie Komuro, Riverside County Homelessness Solutions, reported on planning for the next PIT Count on January 29, 2020; and the newly-hired encampment coordinator and guidelines for cities

• Linda Barrack, Martha’s Village and Kitchen, reported on information provided by the US Interagency Council on Homelessness and stated that Borrego Health Clinic is now open at Martha’s Village.

• Darla Burkett, CVRM, thanked all involved in operating and supporting the summer cooling centers project.

• Angelina Coe, Shelter from the Storm, reported on Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

• Tanya Torno, Riverside County Housing Authority, reported on staff recruitments; introduced new street outreach teams in Palm Desert; stated that NOFA for round 2 of No Place Like Home will be released soon; and announced the Coachella Health Fair on October 6.

• Tony Ortego, Riverside County DPSS, reported on a forthcoming NOFA for HUD CoC funding.

9. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Brad Anderson and Tony Mize addressed the Committee.

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10. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Upcoming meetings:

• Executive Committee – September 30 at 10 am

• Homelessness Committee – November 20 at 10 am

11. ADJOURN - The meeting was adjourned at 11:17 am.

Respectfully submitted, Libby Carlson

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11/15/2019 Amid affordable housing crunch, local governments will look to spread housing across region in 8-year-plan – Daily News

https://www.dailynews.com/2019/11/07/amid-affordable-housing-crunch-local-governments-will-look-to-spread-housing-across-region-in-8-y… 1/5

By By CITY NEWS SERVICECITY NEWS SERVICE | | news@socalnews.comnews@socalnews.com | |PUBLISHED: PUBLISHED: November 7, 2019 at 6:33 pmNovember 7, 2019 at 6:33 pm | UPDATED: | UPDATED: November 7, 2019 at 6:34November 7, 2019 at 6:34pmpm

In the Inland Empire, the supply of new housing has been “inadequate,” driving upIn the Inland Empire, the supply of new housing has been “inadequate,” driving uphome prices and rents, according to a new UC Riverside economic forecast.(Staff filehome prices and rents, according to a new UC Riverside economic forecast.(Staff filephoto/The Sun)photo/The Sun)

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11/15/2019 Amid affordable housing crunch, local governments will look to spread housing across region in 8-year-plan – Daily News

https://www.dailynews.com/2019/11/07/amid-affordable-housing-crunch-local-governments-will-look-to-spread-housing-across-region-in-8-y… 2/5

LOS ANGELES — City Council members and mayors from across SouthernLOS ANGELES — City Council members and mayors from across SouthernCalifornia voted Thursday to make changes to a proposed eight-year regionalCalifornia voted Thursday to make changes to a proposed eight-year regionalhousing plan, which Los Angeles officials said will make residential developmenthousing plan, which Los Angeles officials said will make residential developmentrequirements more equitable.requirements more equitable.

The Southern California Association of Governments Regional Council, which isThe Southern California Association of Governments Regional Council, which ismade up of 86 city council members and mayors, voted to not use methods thatmade up of 86 city council members and mayors, voted to not use methods thatrely on household growth forecasts to determine where housing should be built, asrely on household growth forecasts to determine where housing should be built, aspart of the state-required Regional Housing Needs Allocation planning process.part of the state-required Regional Housing Needs Allocation planning process.

Instead, the regional council will use a different method and will examine a set ofInstead, the regional council will use a different method and will examine a set ofrecommendations made by the 16-member Los Angeles voting bloc to see if therecommendations made by the 16-member Los Angeles voting bloc to see if theoriginal plan’s numbers will be “significantly” altered.original plan’s numbers will be “significantly” altered.

The proposal from Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey was approved, 43-19.The proposal from Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey was approved, 43-19.

Los Angeles officials argued that new housing needs to be built closer to whereLos Angeles officials argued that new housing needs to be built closer to wherejobs are clustered and where people most need the housing.jobs are clustered and where people most need the housing.

“Today’s SCAG vote is an important step forward in responding to the“Today’s SCAG vote is an important step forward in responding to theunprecedented housing shortage and homelessness crisis that has grippedunprecedented housing shortage and homelessness crisis that has grippedSouthern California,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “We realize that if weSouthern California,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “We realize that if wedon’t solve this problem together, we won’t solve it at all, and I am grateful to thedon’t solve this problem together, we won’t solve it at all, and I am grateful to themany elected leaders from across the region, including 11 members of our ownmany elected leaders from across the region, including 11 members of our ownCity Council, who supported a proposal that takes a realistic and objectiveCity Council, who supported a proposal that takes a realistic and objectiveapproach to regional growth.”approach to regional growth.”

Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu said that during the last RHNA cycle,Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu said that during the last RHNA cycle,SCAG distributed more than 425,000 units and Los Angeles was assigned 20% ofSCAG distributed more than 425,000 units and Los Angeles was assigned 20% ofthe burden. The next RHNA cycle calls for 1.3 million units in Southern California,the burden. The next RHNA cycle calls for 1.3 million units in Southern California,with 35% of them originally proposed to be built in Los Angeles.with 35% of them originally proposed to be built in Los Angeles.

Many cities that aren’t near job hubs and may not develop employment centers inMany cities that aren’t near job hubs and may not develop employment centers inthe near future were initially allocated many more housing units than affluent citiesthe near future were initially allocated many more housing units than affluent citiessuch as Laguna Beach or Beverly Hills.such as Laguna Beach or Beverly Hills.

Beverly Hills would have been required to build about 530 units in the next eightBeverly Hills would have been required to build about 530 units in the next eightyears, whereas Coachella in Riverside County would be required to build aboutyears, whereas Coachella in Riverside County would be required to build about15,000 in an area that doesn’t have high job-growth or large transit areas.15,000 in an area that doesn’t have high job-growth or large transit areas.

“This proposal tells the millions of working people, who work in job-rich“This proposal tells the millions of working people, who work in job-richcommunities, that they should not have the opportunity to live where they workcommunities, that they should not have the opportunity to live where they workand instead must commute from greater and greater distances,” Ryu said beforeand instead must commute from greater and greater distances,” Ryu said beforethe Regional Council’s vote.the Regional Council’s vote.

10

11/15/2019 Amid affordable housing crunch, local governments will look to spread housing across region in 8-year-plan – Daily News

https://www.dailynews.com/2019/11/07/amid-affordable-housing-crunch-local-governments-will-look-to-spread-housing-across-region-in-8-y… 3/5

“This is bad climate policy. It’s bad social policy. It is nothing short of economic“This is bad climate policy. It’s bad social policy. It is nothing short of economicredlining,” he said. “Doubling down on the status quo of the past will not solve thisredlining,” he said. “Doubling down on the status quo of the past will not solve thiscrisis. You cannot build 1.3 million units of housing without asking high-incomecrisis. You cannot build 1.3 million units of housing without asking high-incomecities to lift a finger.”cities to lift a finger.”

The Regional Council vote could result in the allocation of about 468,000 units toThe Regional Council vote could result in the allocation of about 468,000 units tobe built in Los Angeles in the next eight years — and increase Beverly Hill’sbe built in Los Angeles in the next eight years — and increase Beverly Hill’sallocation, for example, to more than 3,100 units, according to a spreadsheet thatallocation, for example, to more than 3,100 units, according to a spreadsheet thatSCAG officials distributed.SCAG officials distributed.

The reasons why the numbers are so much higher this year, Los Angeles cityThe reasons why the numbers are so much higher this year, Los Angeles cityofficials said, was because of changes to state laws that took into considerationofficials said, was because of changes to state laws that took into considerationovercrowding, access to public transit and cost-burdened communities, but theovercrowding, access to public transit and cost-burdened communities, but theSouthern California region typically scores poorly on those indicators.Southern California region typically scores poorly on those indicators.

“Every community in our region must build new and more affordable housing, and“Every community in our region must build new and more affordable housing, andputting it near jobs and transit will help ensure that more people have theputting it near jobs and transit will help ensure that more people have theopportunities they deserve,” Garcetti said.opportunities they deserve,” Garcetti said.

The Regional Council’s Executive Administration Committee is expected to reviewThe Regional Council’s Executive Administration Committee is expected to reviewthe RHNA plan in December.the RHNA plan in December.

The Regional Council also voted to examine three other recommendationsThe Regional Council also voted to examine three other recommendationsproposed by Los Angeles to modify any housing-job proximity imbalances,proposed by Los Angeles to modify any housing-job proximity imbalances,reassess housing locations near public transportation and to build housing wherereassess housing locations near public transportation and to build housing whereopportunities for job growth are strong.opportunities for job growth are strong.

The RHNA plan will now go to the state’s Department of Housing and CommunityThe RHNA plan will now go to the state’s Department of Housing and CommunityDevelopment for a 60-day review of its methodology before being returned to theDevelopment for a 60-day review of its methodology before being returned to theregional council for considerationregional council for consideration

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Tags: Tags: Affordable housingAffordable housing,, Homeless sheltersHomeless shelters,, HousingHousing11

Item 7D

Staff Report Subject: Update on CV Housing First Request for Proposals Contact: Tom Cox (tcox@cvag.org) Recommendation: As Phase 1 of CV Housing First Program for 2020,

(1) Authorize the Executive Director to negotiate and execute and agreement with Path of Life Ministries to provide street outreach, supportive services, and crisis stabilization/bridge housing from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020;

(2) Authorize the Executive Director to take steps necessary to modify funding agreements with Riverside County to effectuate and meet County requirements; and

(3) Authorize the Executive Director to enter into agreements with the City of Palm Springs and other entities as necessary for in-kind use of City-owned facilities to deliver services through daytime access centers as part of the CV Housing First Program.

Background: In July 2019, a Request for Proposals for CV Housing First services was issued based

on goals approved by the Homelessness Committee that specified focus on connecting unsheltered

homeless individuals with sustainable housing solutions through active problem solving and

collaboration using a diversion-oriented approach consistent with housing first principles. Eight

organizations responded with a total of 16 projects representing a wide range of strategies.

Proposal Review & Evaluation

The proposal review panel, including Committee members, stakeholders, and County and CVAG

staff, reviewed proposals based on project understanding, ability to deliver, proposed impact, and

cost effectiveness. Barbara Poppe and Natalie Komuro, Deputy County Executive Officer for

Homelessness Solutions, also conducted a thorough technical assessment of the proposals and

discussed their analyses with the review panel. Following this session, follow up questions were sent

to all organizations that submitted proposals. Concurrently, the City of Palm Springs approached

CVAG regarding ideas for longer-term use of the former Boxing Club; CVAG staff initiated discussion

with public safety in several cities to assess interest in strengthening coordination with homeless

service providers; and CVAG worked County DPSS staff to finalize approved grant funding

agreements that had been in progress for some time. In October, this information was discussed

with the review panel when it reconvened to review responses to the request for additional

information and develop preliminary recommendations. Based on the strategic vision that began to

emerge, the review panel expressed support for:

- Phased implementation of CV Housing First collaborative partnerships

- Leveraging existing resources to support collaboration

- Building local capacity Valley-wide

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Item 7D

Scope & Budget

The review panel directed staff to work with Path of Life Ministries on a 12 month scope of work and

budget to include outreach, supportive services, and bridge housing, with the understanding that

additional partners would be incorporated over time. The review panel also requested that concerns

regarding responsiveness, visibility, and accountability be addressed. Finally, the review panel

requested to meet with the new Path of Life CEO at the appropriate time to discuss concerns and

expectations, pending his start date.

Under the attached draft scope of work and budget, Path of Life Ministries will:

(1) Conduct Valley-wide coordinated outreach in partnership with public safety officers, and

participate in regular planning meetings with police, probation officers, and other service

providers. Addresses concerns regarding visibility, fragmentation, and responsiveness.

(2) Staff and operate visible and accessible homeless access centers 6 days per week as home

base for intake and assessment, case management, and placement in housing, with services

provided by other agencies as well, starting with funded County programs. Referrals will be

accepted by phone, through street outreach, and walk-in. Path of Life will also seek and

participate in efforts to expand the homeless access center model, including pop up locations.

Addresses concerns regarding consistent access and responsiveness, with co-located

service delivery also addressing concerns regarding capacity.

(3) Secure and manage twice the number of existing crisis stabilization units currently in the CV

Housing First program, from 12 to 24, for use as bridge housing for up to 60 days. Addresses

potential loss of contact with hard to reach unsheltered homeless individuals while they work

toward sustainable housing solutions.

Path of Life has also committed to hiring locally when possible to increase responsiveness, reduce

transportation costs, and cut down on travel time. This is in addition to staff recently hired by Path of

Life that reside in Coachella Valley.

The preliminary 12-month budget estimate ranges from $950,000 to $1,158,291 pending additional

information and negotiation, mainly regarding office space rental and associated costs, as well as

shared costs with co-located service providers. These issues will be resolved out before the final

proposed budget is presented to the Executive Committee for approval in December.

Accountability

CVAG staff is focused on improving accountability through:

1. Working with the County to adjust the way CVAG projects are listed and groups in its data system (HMIS) so we will have access to the data we need, when we need it, across all CVAG-funded homeless service providers;

2. Establishing more meaningful metrics and uniform standards to ensure that data from all CVAG-funded homeless service providers is consistent, timely, and reliable; and

3. Requiring that all CVAG-funded homeless service providers enter data into the County’s HMIS in order to provide a clear, full picture of outcomes and performance.

Timeline

Before the end of 2019, under Path of Life’s existing contract, they will initiate coordinated street

outreach with public safety officers in multiple cities; deliver daytime supportive services in locations

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Item 7D

in Coachella Valley, co-located with staff representing various County assistance programs; and

identify and acquire additional crisis stabilization units for use as bridge housing. CVAG will work

with the City of Palm Springs and other entities as needed to finalize agreements needed in order to

use City-owned space for service delivery; finalize grant funding agreements with the County for

supportive services and bridge housing projects; and work with the County to update CVAG projects

in County HMIS.

Fiscal Impact: $751,930 is available through the HEAP and CESH funds awarded by Riverside County. The balance is available in the CVAG Homelessness Fund, which includes an additional contribution from the County, contributions from CVAG member jurisdictions, and the match from the Desert Healthcare District. The budget for this 12 month scope of work will be finalized prior to the Executive Committee meeting on December 2, 2019, this includes details regarding in-kind use of the former Boxing Club in Palm Springs. Staff will return to the Homelessness Committee with an update at the January meeting. Attachment:

1. CV Housing First Proposed 2020 Path of Life Scope of Services and Budget

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CV Housing First: Path of Life Ministries Proposed Scope of Services, January 2020 – December 2020

1. We will engage unsheltered homeless individuals in CVAG member jurisdictions and work

to help them unsheltered homelessness in these ways: a. Reunification with family/friends b. Entry into emergency shelter or bridge/temporary housing c. Entry into another residential program (e.g. detox, treatment, nursing home, etc.) d. Move into subsidized & low rent apartments, shared living, board & care, special

needs housing, etc. e. Move into housing through connection to Riverside County Home Connect housing

match We will also link these individuals to community services and programs including behavioral health, substance use, and other health care, employment assistance, public assistance, basic needs assistance, and other organizations that support low income individuals. The priority will be to divert as many individuals from entering shelter as possible

2. We will operate homeless access centers in Coachella Valley, Monday through Saturday,

to: a. Accept referrals b. Address immediate care needs c. Use active problem solving to deliver supportive services, case management, and

rapid resolution d. Work with other providers on collaborative service delivery and case management e. Connect individuals with housing solutions

Referrals will be accepted through walk in and on call. We will also help identify, pursue, and operate pop-up centers in cities throughout Coachella Valley as needed.The Access Center will provide on-site coverage to overlap with nighttime operations in order to engage existing participants as possible, until a full transition of nighttime operations cease. POLM Participate in efforts to strengthen partnerships with law enforcement via paired field outreach in mornings, weekly planning meetings, and afternoon/on call referrals from law enforcement at the Homeless Access Center. Work with CVAG to draft written policies and procedures for Homeless Access Center.

3. POLM will provide two Street Outreach Teams of two full-time staff members per team dedicated to the CVAG contracted cities. Additionally they will provide and Outreach Team Lead that will be the main point of contact for Law Enforcement and direct the team’s day-to-day activities. They will conduct street outreach and case management services Monday through Saturday to homeless individuals in the CVAG contracted cities.

a. POLM Street Outreach Teams will provide Outreach, Contact and Engagements to a minimum of 350 unique unsheltered clients.

b. POLM will create a list that identifies the Coachella Valley 100 Familiar Faces.

4. The initial contact will be a Rapid Resolution (RR) problem-solving conversation to identify options to exit unsheltered homelessness. The CVHF outreach worker will work to engage at least 80% in developing simple RR case plan. A brief intake and plan will be documented.

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CV Housing First: Path of Life Ministries Proposed Scope of Services, January 2020 – December 2020

a. The CVHF outreach worker will assist clients, as needed, to apply for housing, develop a budget and housing stability plan, link to community resources, and complete necessary paperwork to receive RR Financial Assistance (see below).

b. The CVHF outreach worker will link the client to the CVHF Housing Locator (see below) and work in partnership to locate housing.

5. After at least three (3) separate engagements in RR problem-solving contacts, the CVHF

outreach worker will conduct an intake/enrollment for HomeConnect including a VI-SPDAT assessment will be completed for each individual engaged/enrolled. If at first point of contact the individual is assessed to be chronically homeless, the HomeConnect assessment will be completed. This will determine their eligibility for (Rapid Rehousing (RRH) or Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and ensure that all eligible chronically homeless individuals are entered in the county-wide coordinated entry system.

6. The CVHF Outreach Team will document and track their contacts, interactions, and progress with the individuals they provide services to as well as the locations in which they are contacting homeless individuals and encampments. This documentation will be in HMIS.

7. POLM will maintain 24 CSH units for the CVAG contracted cities focusing on the 100

Familiar Faces pilot project. The equivalent of 4000 bed nights will be provided for unsheltered individuals from CVAG contracted cities who have established an RR case plan. The CSH units will be available to:

a. Priorities for CSH units when there are more eligible clients than available space are those who are pregnant or families with children; frail elderly; serious health condition; and other extraordinary vulnerabilities.

b. CSH will serve only people who are unsheltered within the CVAG contracted cities meet one of these three criteria:

• Are on the 100 Familiar Faces list.

• RR households who have established RR case plan for up to 2-weeks stay (average is one week). Generally, three (3) units serve this population.

OR

• RR households who have established RR case plan, completed HomeConnect referral and are likely to receive CES housing placement within 60 days. (Up to 90 days stay, average is 45 days.) Generally, nine (9) units serve this population.

8. Rapid Resolution Financial Assistance will be provided to unsheltered households who

have completed a RR plan and need one-time financial assistance to exit unsheltered homelessness. These flexible funds can cover needs such as rental assistance, utility assistance, transportation assistance, work related assistance, reunification costs, securing documentation costs, payment for background and credit checks and move-in assistance. Individuals that will be aided in their positive movement out of unsheltered homelessness. Rental assistance may be 1-3 months and should be provided on progressive engagement basis. Approximately 70 households will receive Rapid Resolution Financial Assistance.

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CV Housing First: Path of Life Ministries Proposed Scope of Services, January 2020 – December 2020

a. Use of RR Financial Assistance funds will be thoroughly documented in accordance with established standards and procedures

9. Path of Life will work with community partners including law enforcement and local

Behavioral Health services, employment services and other community-based agencies to coordinate efforts to provide homeless solutions in the CVAG contracted cities. Path will participate in implementation of the regional collaborative, including regular meetings with all providers and police who assist homeless people in the Coachella Valley to discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities to better meet the needs of unsheltered people in the Coachella Valley.

10. POLM will provide a Housing Locator to support the clients served by the CVHF outreach

team. This position should outreach to landlords and others to identify housing options. Housing options should include subsidized & low rent apartments, shared living, board & care, special needs housing, etc. The HPS will coordinate with the CVHF outreach worker and, as needed, assist clients to apply for housing, develop a budget and housing stability plan, and move into housing.

11. POLM will assist with efforts to conduct the 2020 Point In Time Count in the Coachella

Valley.

17

FIXED EXPENSES 12-Months Monthly

Program Mgmt & Staff (All w/ Fringe) 470,925.74 39,243.81

Office Supplies 10,000.00 833.33

Operating Supplies 24,000.00 2,000.00

Telephone 7,300.00 608.33

Postage 1,000.00 83.33

Travel/Outreach Transportation 56,400.00 4,700.00

Advertising & Printing 6,500.00 541.67

Insurance 10,500.00 875.00

Utilities 8,000.00 666.67

Repairs, Maintenance & Supplies 3,700.00 308.33

Rentals - Office, Storage & Equipment 19,000.00 1,583.33

Administrative Costs/Indirect Costs 35,208.80 2,934.07

Subtotal Fixed 652,534.54 54,377.88

VARIABLE EXPENSES

Rapid Resolution Diversion/Supportive Services 90,000.00 7,500.00

Immediate Relief (Food, Laundry) 16,000.00 1,333.33

Subtotal Rapid Resolution Diversion 106,000.00 8,833.33

Crisis Stabilization/Bridge Housing Rent (24 @ 12 months) 313,056.00 26,088.00

Utilities 54,700.00 4,558.33

Maintenance/Repair/Eviction 20,000.00 1,666.67

Unit Deposits 12,000.00 1,000.00

Subtotal Crisis Stablization/Bridge Housing 399,756.00 33,313.00

Subtotal Variable 505,756.00 42,146.33

TOTAL 12-MONTH BUDGET AS PROPOSED 1,158,290.54 96,524.21

CV Housing First: Path of Life Ministries

DRAFT 12 Month Budget, January 2020 - December 2020

Budget finalizaton in progress.

18

ITEM 8A HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE

ATTENDANCE RECORD

FY2019-2020

VOTING MEMBERS JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE

City of Blythe - - 0 out of 2

City of Cathedral City ✓ - ✓ - 2 out of 2

City of Coachella ✓ - ✓ - 2 out of 2

City of Desert Hot Springs ✓ - ✓ - 2 out of 2

City of Indian Wells ✓ - ✓ - 2 out of 2

City of Indio ✓ - ✓ - 2 out of 2

City of La Quinta ✓ - ✓ - 2 out of 2

City of Palm Desert ✓ - ✓ - 2 out of 2

City of Palm Springs ✓ - ✓ - 2 out of 2

City of Rancho Mirage ✓ - ✓ - 2 out of 2

Riverside County - District 4 ✓ - ✓ - 2 out of 2

Desert Healthcare District ✓ - - 1 out of 2

Total 11 - 10 -

EX-OFFICIO / NON-VOTING MEMBERS

Coachella Valley Housing Coalition ✓ - - 1 out of 2

Coachella Valley Rescue Mission ✓ - ✓ - 2 out of 2

Health to Hope - - 0 out of 2

HomeAid Inland Empire ✓ - - 1 out of 2

Martha's Village and Kitchen ✓ - ✓ - 2 out of 2

The Salvation Army - - 0 out of 2

Shelter From the Storm ✓ - ✓ - 2 out of 2

Total 5 - 3 -

Absent

No Meeting *

Scheduled Dark Month -

Total

19

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On a recent Saturday af-ternoon in North Hills,Calif., Chris Freeman isopening boxes he hasn’tseen in years, pullingout memorabilia from a1994 tour with GreenDay.

Freeman laughswhen he sees pho-tos of his youngerself running nakedthrough a mosh pit insome arena in Americaand a photo of him posingwithsinger-songwriter Courtney Love.

A frontman for the LGBTQ rockband Pansy Division, Freeman alsoplays in GayC/DC, an all-gay AC/DCtribute, and a new project called Ma-ry with GayC/DC members Glen Pa-van and Steve McKnight. His rootsare in a sub-genre of punk rockcalled Queercore, which emerged inthe early ’80s from a zine called“J.D.’s” in Toronto and spread to othercities, including San Francisco.

Above: Chris Freeman performs with GayC/DC at Palm Springs Pride on Nov. 4, 2018. Left: Chris Freeman of Pansy Division, GayC/DCand Mary holds up his all-access pass for the GreenDay “Dookie” tour in his living room in North Hillson Sept. 21. PHOTOS BY BRIAN BLUESKYE/THE DESERT SUN;

ILLUSTRATION BY JOSHUA ULRICH/USA TODAY NETWORK;

AND GETTY IMAGES

Chris Freeman didn’twant to live in a worldwithout openly gayrock musicians, so he became oneBrian Blueskye Palm Springs Desert SunUSA TODAY NETWORK

See FREEMAN, Page 4A

There can be a kitschy romance to sleeping at amotel when you’re young and road-tripping acrossAmerica. But when a motel room is the last optionbefore homelessness, it can take on a darker tone.

Nancy Moore, 66, and her husband Ron, 70, foundthemselves at the Motel 6 in northern Palm Springsjust over a year ago after they were evicted from agarage in Desert Hot Springs they were renting for$500 a month.

It was a nice motel, they said, but they refused tocall it home even though they had no other place tolay their heads at night. The white walls were cleanand sterile. The two queen-sized beds draped withblankets the color of earth sat side-by-side facing asmall television. Warm showers were available at thecrack of dawn or late at night. The only hints of a cozyhome were the house plants, cats and the family dogthe Moores crammed into the room.

“I was not going to give up. I knew this wasn’thome,” Ron Moore said. “I knew this wasn’t right. Wewere going to come out of homelessness. The motelwas just temporary.”

Across Riverside County each night, scores of peo-ple like the Moores are one step from life on thestreets. How they fare depends both on their own re-sourcefulness and the luck of the draw.

The county’s continuum of care program assessespeople to see who is qualified for a housing voucher

‘Rapidrehousing’not alwaysvery quickHomeless in RiversideCounty left waiting forbetween 3 and 118 daysNicole Hayden Palm Springs Desert SunUSA TODAY NETWORK

Ron and Nancy Moore were homeless but now havea home in Joshua Tree. They previously lived at aMotel 6 after being evicted from a garage theywere renting. JAY CALDERON/THE DESERT SUN

See HOMELESS, Page 8A

8A ❚ SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2019 ❚ T H E D E S E RT S U N

and which assistance program fits best.The program many officials are toutingas the most successful is “rapid rehous-ing,” which provides short-term rentalassistance to quickly move people expe-riencing homelessness into a home.

Rapid rehousing is typically a six-month placement in a private apart-ment, paid for with federal funds thatare managed by the county. The goal inthat half-year is to help people transi-tion to long-term housing. To qualify,people must be homeless or near home-lessness with income at or below 50% ofthe poverty line.

Once a person is qualified with ahousing voucher in hand, applicantsmust work with an agency to actuallyfind a place to live. The average numberof days it takes to move into a “rapid re-housing” home once someone qualifiesfor a voucher in Riverside County is 39days. That doesn’t include how long ittakes for clients to qualify for housing inthe first place, which can take a coupleweeks to many months.

The time it takes to move voucher-el-igible people into a new home can varywidely, from three to 118 days, depend-ing on the agency, according to a DesertSun analysis of Riverside County datafrom October 2017 to June 2019:

❚ Catholic Charities: 14 days❚ City of Riverside: 36 days❚ Coachella Valley Rescue Mission:

33 days❚ Lighthouse Social Services: 46

days❚ Lutheran Social Services: 118 days❚ Coachella Valley Association of

Governments/Path of Life Ministries: 3days

❚ Path of Life Ministries (non-CVAGclients): 15 days

❚ Riverside Community HousingCorporation: 46 days

❚ Riverside County (RUHS) Behav-ioral Health: 46 days

❚ U.S. Vets: 34 days

Moores find success

The Moores knew firsthand that theirfate was in part reliant on the agencythey were matched with. “I can tell youhorror stories,” said Ron Moore, a veter-an of the Vietnam War and a retired hos-pital maintenance worker.

Ron decided to take their housing sit-uation into his own hands, reaching outto local officials for help. He spent hisMotel 6 days watching the sunrise be-fore heading to the library to researchhousing options. He reached out to sev-eral agencies, including the U.S. Depart-ment of Veteran Affairs, RiversideCounty Adult Services office, and Light-house Social Services. He kept strikingout.

The turning point came when hefound contact information for Greg Rod-riguez, policy adviser to Riverside Coun-ty Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and theCoachella Valley Homelessness Collab-orative’s director. Rodriguez referredMoore to Christy Holstege, a PalmSprings city councilwoman who sits onthe city’s homelessness committee andchairs the Coachella Valley Associationof Governments’ homelessness com-mittee.

Holstege directed the couple to reachout to Path of Life Ministries, a nonprof-it that contracts with CVAG to housepeople who are facing homelessness inthe Coachella Valley. Ron forwardedHostage’s email to the agency. Path ofLife took this as a cue to prioritize theMoores’ case.

“We receive referrals from partneragencies and cities, so officials with cit-ies that CVAG has partnered with ... cancontact us directly and we immediatelylook into those clients’ needs,” said Ca-sey Jackson, Path of Life Ministries in-terim CEO.

On Sept. 26, 2018, the Moores hadrun out of money. They packed up andresolved to live out of their 2000 FordMustang they had purchased for $900— it wasn’t yet terribly cold at night. Buton that same day, Maria Lopez, Path ofLife caseworker, showed up at the Motel6 to inform the couple they qualified forthe CV Housing First program. A fewhours later, the Moores were movinginto a “crisis” apartment in PalmSprings.

If the Moores had ended up workingwith a different agency, it may have tak-en more than a month to move into anapartment.

The CV Housing First program thatthe Moores got into differs from thestandard “rapid rehousing” models be-cause it is coupled with “crisis stabiliza-tion housing,” which aims to bridge thegap between qualifying for rapid re-housing and actually moving into ahome.

During 90-day stays at “crisis” apart-ments, caseworkers provide support tohelp clients find a “rapid rehousing”unit. The caseworkers also connect cli-ents to other services they might needas well, from help signing up for govern-ment benefits to counseling services.Typically people move into a “crisis”unit the same day they qualify.

The CVAG program costs $1 millionannually to operate, which includes the

apartment leases, caseworker salariesand rapid rehousing vouchers.

Rodriguez said CV Housing First iseffective because it is small. It served 65“crisis” clients and 20 rapid rehousingclients between October 2017 and June2019.

The Palm Springs “crisis” apartmentthe Moores moved into was fully fur-nished with a kitchen stocked withutensils, plates and glasses. The bath-room was ready with towels, the bed-room cozy with blankets.

“It had everything you would need to

survive if you were just picked up off thestreet,” said Nancy Moore, who brokedown in tears. “But it was private, justus, with our own two-bedroom apart-ment. I was really surprised. ... Ithought, ‘Oh my goodness, it’s a realapartment.’ “

Lopez said the couple was in disbe-lief.

“They had five cats and a dog livingwith them so, finding housing was chal-lenging for them,” Lopez said. “Theywere still in disbelief as they moved in.Then, a couple days later when I fol-

lowed up, after they had showers and ameal and a good night’s sleep, theylooked so different. They looked lessoverwhelmed. It was nice to see thatweight lifted.”

The Moores ended up staying in the“crisis” apartment for about six monthson CVAG’s dime — twice as long as theprogram typically allows. In that time,the couple was determined to check offtheir list of to-dos, with the help of Lo-pez, who stopped by several times eachweek to check in.

“A lot has to do with helping peoplewith their mind and spirit and stayingpresent and reminding them that theycan get through this, that is the hardestpart,” Lopez said.

Lopez helped Ron Moore access hisVA benefits, coached the couple as theycreated a budget, vetted possible long-term housing options and even referredNancy Moore to a hair salon.

While in the crisis unit, the coupleput many of their favorite activities onhold. Ron was looking forward delvingback into a love of photography, garden-ing and participating in a men’s choironce their housing situation reached astable point. Nancy, who is often tiredand in poor health since part of her pan-creas was removed, was looking for-ward to having one of their kids visit.

“Success is dependent on clients’participation in the program and Ron,he was very adamant that he was goingto get out of this situation. I was proudof him and was there for him,” Lopezsaid. “He knew exactly what he wanted:two bedrooms, a yard for his dog andstorage space. He found his house on hisown and advocated for himself to thelandlord, and I was able to help him tieup loose ends.”

By the numbers

In Riverside County, rapid rehousinghas been effective at preventing peoplefrom returning to homelessness, with4% of clients returning to the streetsand 82% transitioning into some sort ofpermanent housing, according to coun-ty data reaching back to October 2017.The remainder fall somewhere in themiddle: staying at a relative’s or friend’shome, other transitional housing or adetox center.

Between October 2017 and June 2019,the county housed 405 people throughone of its several rapid rehousing pro-grams, with an additional 122 qualifiedbut waiting for placements.

The county outsources much of thefunding to other housing agencies toserve various communities and needs,and because the county doesn’t havethe staff to do all the work themselves.

The biggest challenge for any provid-er, though, is getting people into the rap-id rehousing units. It takes 39 days onaverage to move someone into a place-ment once they are approved for a rapidrehousing voucher. That could mean 39additional days on the street or in amass emergency shelter or in a car or ona friend’s couch. County officials saythat lag is typically due to the few hous-ing units available.

The county typically does not ownapartment units, but relies on individ-ual landlords to be willing to accept ahousing voucher which range in amountdepending on income levels. For exam-ple, a voucher for a mother with twokids who earns $10 an hour could re-ceive a $174 housing voucher. If thatsame mother was earning $6.25 anhour, the voucher would hit closer to$531, according to the Riverside CountyHousing Authority. Officials say findingwilling landlords is one of the biggesthousing challenges.

County and city governments are al-lowed to own units if they choose,though. In San Bernardino County, thecity of Ontario has owned 76 housingunits since 2005.

Rodriguez said the large discrepan-cies in placement times between theagencies does not mean one is doingbetter or worse than the next. The dis-crepancies in some ways reflect the factthat agencies have different resources,different staffing levels and a differentnumber of clients with various needsthey are trying to serve at once, rangingfrom recovering addicts to those with along history of court fees to untangle.

The CV Housing First program focus-es on clients who have lower barriers toovercome and who may be more willingto cooperate with case workers, Rodri-guez said.

Rodriguez said the other part of theCV Housing First success is access tohousing. The program leases the 12 cri-sis units in the Coachella Valley already,so caseworkers don’t have to track downnew willing landlords each time they re-ceive a new client like other housingagencies must.

Housing First in the valley

The CV Housing First program hasthe urgency of an emergency shelterwith rapid rehousing goals, attemptingto meld the best of each program model.

In the Coachella Valley, most sheltersopen only at night and push clients outduring the day to encourage people touse that time to work, find job or visit asocial services office. It would also cost

HomelessContinued from Page 1A

Ron and Nancy Moore’s home in Joshua Tree has a large backyard and garden.JAY CALDERON/THE DESERT SUN

Report card:

RivCo transitional housing

Current status: 17% return to

homelessness on exit from

program.

17%

Transitional housing: A housing project, often a group home (but smaller than a mass shelter), that is designed to provide temporary housing and supportive services to help people gain skills that will help them move towards independent living. Examples include the Harrison House at SafeHouse of the Desert, which is geared towards young adults, and ABC Recovery, which is geared towards drug rehab and alcohol treatment.

Report card:

RivCo emergency

shelters

Current status: More than

50% return to homelessness

on exit.

56%

Emergency shelter: A temporary shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. This includes mass overnight shelter and transitional programs hosted by shelters. Examples in the Coachella Valley include the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Martha's Village and Kitchen, and the Coachelle Valley Association of Government's emergency shelter project.

Report card:

RivCo rapid rehousing

Current status: 4% return to

homelessness on exit from

housing placement.

4%

Rapid rehousing: RRH provides short- and medium-term rental assistance to quickly move people and families experiencing homelessness into a home. The placement emphasizes housing search to allow people to transitional into long-term housing on exit. Examples of agencies in the Coachella Valley that assist with this include Path of Life and Step Up On Second.

Report card:

RivCo permanent

supportive housing

Current status: 18% return to

homelessness on exit from

housing placement

18%

Permanent supportive housing: PSH is meant to assist individuals experiencing homelessness who are disabled or families with an adult or child who are disabled. The housing comes with an indefinite lease or rental assistance coupled with supportive services. Agencies that help connect people to PSH placements include Path of Life and Step Up On Second.

Continued on next page

❚ 306 Unique individuals stayed in anemergency shelter in RiversideCounty between October 2017 andJune 2019.

❚ 91 Average number of days peoplestay at the transitional program.

❚ 44% Of individuals seeking shelterwere white men, the largest de-mographic served.

❚ 26% Of those seeking shelter weredisabled.

❚ 4% Of those seeking shelter werechronically homeless.

Source: Riverside County Depart-ment of Public Social Services

❚ 6,409 Unique individuals stayed in anemergency shelter in Riverside Countybetween October 2017 and June 2019.

❚ 37 Average number of days peoplestay at the shelter.

❚ 46% Of individuals seeking shelterwere white men, the largest demo-graphic served.

❚ 34% Of those seeking shelter weredisabled.

❚ 10% Of those seeking shelter werechronically homeless.

Source: Riverside County Departmentof Public Social Services

❚ 405 Households were placed in RRHin Riverside County between October2017 and June 2019.

❚ 39 Average number of days it takesfor people to move in to their homeonce approved.

❚ 38% Of individuals seeking shelterwere white men, the largest demo-graphic served.

❚ 49% Of those who received housingwere disabled.

❚ 19% Of those who received housingwere chronically homeless.

Source: Riverside County Departmentof Public Social Services

❚ 582 Households were placed in PSHin Riverside County between October2017 and June 2019.

❚ 37 Average number of days it takesfor people to move in to their homeonce approved.

❚ 52% Of individuals seeking shelterwere white men, the largest demo-graphic served.

❚ 74% Of those who received housingwere disabled.

❚ 61% Of those who received housingwere chronically homeless.

Source: Riverside County Departmentof Public Social Services

DESERTSUN.COM ❚ SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2019 ❚ 9A

more to keep the shelters open 24 hours. While the data shows that people

who stay in the CVAG “crisis” units havea high success rate of transitioning intosome sort of long-term housing, thosewho stay in a mass emergency shelter orin a shelter program, have a lowerchance of success:

❚ Coachella Valley Rescue Missionmass shelter: 5% exit to long-term hous-ing

❚ Coachella Valley Rescue Missionprogram housing: 5% exit to long-termhousing

❚ Martha’s Village and Kitchen: 39%exit to long-term housing

❚ CV Housing First crisis units: 65%exit to long-term housing

“In a mass shelter, people can’t bethere 24 hours a day,” Jackson, Path ofLife’s interim CEO, said. “They come inthe evening and leave in the morning.Our version of emergency shelter is dif-ferent. The idea is to allow someone tobe in a stable home while they look forwork and housing. Studies show 24-hour shelter is more helpful in reachingsuccess, but our current system doesn’tsupport that.”

That’s what CV Housing First is try-ing to achieve: remove the stress of lifeon the streets or in a mass shelter, allow-ing people to focus on reaching theirgoals instead of the list of things it takesto survive without a home. The programis acutely focused on permanent hous-ing as a success factor and muscles upthe wrap-around resources such asbudget-planning and advocating tolandlords with that in mind.

“The caseworkers are working withfewer clients than typical, so they areable to work more intensely with clientsthan when they are trying to juggle a lotof people at once,” Rodriguez said.

Path of Life caseworkers under theCVAG contract might have a caseload ofjust 15 people at a time, while generalPath of Life caseworkers, who are typi-cally paid by the agency’s own budgetwhich gets some funding from the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban De-velopment, could have up to 24 clientsat once. Increased caseworker involve-ment can contribute to clients’ success,Rodriguez said.

“I’m always trying to push for a betterstaff situation and to pay our staff bet-ter, even though nonprofits don’t get alot of income,” Jackson said. “We needto pay our caseworkers enough to live atthe level they need to live at, so havingmore hands-on deck is a complicated

thing. We are always trying to find waysto be more efficient, but we our limitedwith our resources.”

Path of Life caseworkers typicallyearn between $16 and $20 an hour, de-pending on experience, Jackson said.

The CV Housing First program cur-rently has two caseworkers for the 12apartment units scattered throughoutthe Coachella Valley, which are ownedby private landlords, leased by CVAGand operated by Path of Life. Eachhouses one individual or one family at atime. The temporary placement typical-ly lasts three months. One caseworkerworks directly with clients and the otheroversees the maintenance of properties.

Who is served by the program some-times just comes down to luck.

Jackson said the agency often takesreferrals directly from city councilmembers, county officials or other

housing agencies, including, but notlimited to, referrals from Holstege andRodriguez.

“People are connected to the programmostly by referrals,” Rodriguez said.“That can come from an agency, a shel-ter, I probably refer four to five people aweek just from calls to our office.”

“A lot of people who are homeless oron the verge of being homeless, theydon’t know who to call,” he said. “To behonest, it is a lot of luck how people findus.”

CV Housing First launched in fall2017, when CVAG awarded a two-year,$2 million contract to Path of Life. Thecontract has since been extended to theend of 2019 for an additional cost of$600,000 while CVAG decides what itsfuture program will look like.

CVAG is slated to decide by the end ofthe year if it will continue to contract

with Path of Life (the only agency CVAGcurrently contracts with), a differentagency, or a collection of agencies. Pathof Life is vying for a contract and askingto expand to include a few more apart-ment units.

“We know rapid rehousing is aproven model,” Rodriguez said. “Wehave seen success. We know it is not theend-all, be-all answer for everyone, butwe know it is one of the most effectivetools in the toolbox.”

The Moores exited the “crisis” unitand moved into their new home in Josh-ua Tree on March 20. Ron cooked dinnerfor Nancy that night: a steak. Then, theyrelaxed and marveled at the home thatwas now theirs.

Riverside County paid the firstmonth’s rent; San Bernardino Countypaid the second month’s rent. TheMoores have paid the rent on their ownsince then using Ron’s VA benefits andNancy’s social security payments.

“Ron still calls me,” Lopez said. “Hecalled me the day he paid his rent on hisown for the first time. I said, ‘Good foryou.’ ”

Ron and Nancy Moore talk about their experiences of being without a home in the past and how they are adjusting tohaving a home now in Joshua Tree. JAY CALDERON/THE DESERT SUN

Continued from previous page

“A lot of people who are homeless or on the verge of being

homeless, they don’t know who to call.”Greg RodriguezDirector, Coachella Valley Homelessness Collaborative

Item 8D

COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS

HOMELESS PROGRAM

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FY 18/19

ASSETS

Cash 585,726.29

Due from Other Goverments 700,000.00

Interest Receivable 3,509.63

Total Assets 1,289,235.92

LIABILITIES

Accouns Payable 211,438.55

Total Liabilities 211,438.55

FUND BALANCE

Ending Fund Balance 1,077,797.37

REVENUES

Homeless 1,389,711.00

Investment Income 20,428.40

Total Revenues 1,410,139.40

EXPENDITURES

Insurance 625.94

Services 1,311,745.90

Total Expenditures 1,312,371.84

Net Excess / (Deficit) 97,767.56

Beginning Fund Balance 980,029.81

Ending Fund Balance 1,077,797.37

29

Item 8D

COACHELLA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS

HOMELESS PROGRAM

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (AUGUST 2019)

FY 19/20

ASSETS

Cash 913,859.57

Due from Other Goverments 150,000.00

Total Assets 1,063,859.57

FUND BALANCE

Ending Fund Balance 1,063,859.57

REVENUES

Homeless 648,500.00

Other Revenue 150,000.00

Investment Income 0.00

Total Revenues 798,500.00

EXPENDITURES

Insurance 0.00

Services 1,001.25

Project Costs 150,000.00

Total Expenditures 151,001.25

Net Excess / (Deficit) 647,498.75

Beginning Fund Balance 416,360.82

Ending Fund Balance 1,063,859.57

30

CV Housing First: Path of Life Report, Through 9/30/19

RAPID RESOLUTION MEASURED IN Q1 Target Jul Aug Sep Q1 Actuals Q2 Target Oct Nov Dec Q2 Actuals YE Target YE Actuals YE Mo Av

Provide services at office locations by appointment and at

appropriate public locations as needed

Walk-In/Off-site Appointments120 N/A 7 13 20 120 0 240

Referral identified from hotline 240 120 117 118 355 240 0 480

Referrals diverted from emergency

shelter 57 53 68 178 0

Connected with appropriate level of

help 45 64 50 159 0

Provide outreach/intervention to people on the street Total Contacts - ALL Cities 175 138 53 93 284 175 0 350

Unduplicated Contacts - ALL Cities 20 19 22 38 79 20 0 40

Cathedral City 4 4 11 19 0

Coachella 3 4 7 14 0

Desert Hot Springs 4 1 11 16 0

Indian Wells 0 0 0 0

Indio 0 0 0 0 0

La Quinta 0 0 0 0 0

Palm Desert 1 1 0 2 0

Palm Springs 7 12 9 28 0

Rancho Mirage 0 0 0 0 0

Unduplicated households 30 47 4 2 53 30 0 60

RRH - individuals 32 2 0 34 0

RRH - Families 22 2 0 24 0

PSH - Individuals 37 0 4 41 0

PSH - Families 25 0 2 27 0

Currently Served (PSH & RRH) 47 59 41 0

PSH Currently Served (Active) 22 31 32 0

RRH Currently Served (Active) 25 28 9 0

Provide behavioral health support to those in housing (CVAG

and Other)

Visits20 64 24 56 144 20 0 38

Provide employment support to those in housing (CVAG and

Other)

Individuals20 8 20 12 40 20 0 38

ALL 54 60 173 287 0

Behavioral Health Referral 0 2 6 8 0

Cell Phone 0 0 0 0 0

Clothing 0 0 0 0 0

Document Support 2 1 5 8 0

Emergency Housing / Shelter Referral2 3 12 17 0

Employment Referral 0 2 5 7 0

Furniture donation 0 0 0 0 0

Gas voucher 0 0 0 0 0

Home Connects/SPDAT 2 0 8 10 0

Housing Navigation / Application 32 5 11 48 0

Government Services 2 1 11 14 0

Hygiene Kits 0 15 33 48 0

Legal Services 0 0 1 1 0

Recovery Resources 6 0 15 21 0

Other (Miscellaneous) 1 0 0 1 0

Resource Cards Given 1 0 0 1 0

Reunification Support 0 0 0 0 0

Transportation 1 5 12 18 0

Utility Assistance 0 0 0 0 0

Water/Food 5 26 54 85 0

Wellness check 0 0 0 0 0

Provide Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive Housing

to homeless individuals and families via Other leveraged

program

Operate resource hotline to ID individuals in need, divert them

from emergency shelter, and connect them with appropriate

level of assistance

Referrals & resources provided

Total Unduplicated Contacts by City

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ALL - Households 45 9 6 60 0

Application Fees 0 0 0 0 0

Auto repair 2 1 1 4 0

Document/ID Support 0 0 0 0 0

Employment Support 0 0 0 0 0

Holding Deposit 0 0 0 0 0

Legal Support 0 0 0 0 0

Motel 0 0 0 0 0

Move in/Deposit Support 5 8 5 18 0

Reunification Support 0 0 0 0 0

Rental Assistance 38 0 0 38

Utilities 0 0 0 0 0

CRISIS STABILIZATION HOUSINGCVAG CSH New Placements -

Households 2 0 6 8 0

CVAG CSH New Placements -

Individuals 18 2 0 9 11 18 0 90

CVAG CSH Placements - TOTAL 21 0 18 39 0

CVAG CSH Bed Nights 372 304 162 838 0

Other Path Shelter Placements 3 3 7 13 0

Other Path Shelter Bed Nights 63 55 66 184 0

Currently Served - Households 3 5 9 0

Currently Served - Individuals 3 12 18 0

Provide case management to connect individuals with

resources and exit emergency housing as quickly as possible

into more stable non-emergency housing

Unduplicated individuals

18 12 12 18 0 90

Provide laundry tokens weekly, clothing as needed with

voucher, toiletries, and food support

Unduplicated individuals18 21 12 3 36 18 0 90

Provide Crisis Stabilization Housing

Use of Rapid Resolution funds

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Item 8F

Staff Report Subject: Clarification of CV Housing First Contract Term Ending December 31, 2019 Contact: Tom Kirk (tkirk@cvag.org) and Libby Carlson (lcarlson@cvag.org) Recommendation: Information only. Background: CVAG entered into a contract with Path of Life Ministries for the ‘West Valley

Housing Navigation Program’ in July 2017, for a total budget not to exceed $864,737.22, to

address the gap in homeless services in western Coachella Valley following the closure of Roy’s

Desert Resource Center. Following execution of this contract, additional funding was secured and

the agreement was amended in September 2017. Amendment #1 updated the name of the

program to ‘CV Housing First’ to reflect an expanded scope to deliver services to all of Coachella

Valley for a total budget not to exceed $2,500,000 through June 2019. In April 2018, the contract

was amended for a second time to add an outreach component with no increase in budget. In

March 2019, the contract was further amended to shift focus of the scope of work from prevention

to diversion, based on recommendations by Barbara Poppe, with no increase in budget. In July

2019, Amendment #4 was approved, to extend the term through October 31, 2019 while a

competitive bid process was conducted for CV Housing First services, with additional budget of

$250,000. Due to the number of proposals received through the RFP process, the contract was

amended for a fifth time to extend the term through December 31, 2019, with an additional budget

of $200,000. This estimate for an additional two months was based on an average monthly cost

of approximately $100,000. However, following discussion led by Mayor Linda Evans at the

September 30, 2019, Executive Committee meeting, staff re-examined the total contract budget

and expenditures, and found that the balance remaining in the contract at the end of FY18/19 had

been underestimated by approximately $166,700. A summary of these amendments is as follows:

Action Amount Term / Notes

Original Contract $864,737.22 07/01/17 – 06/30/18 (Additional 12 months)

Amendment #1 $1,635,262.78 Through 06/30/19 (Additional 12 months)

Amendment #2 $0 No change in approved amount

Amendment #3 $0 No change in approved amount

Amendment #4 $250,000 Through 10/31/19 (Additional 4 months)

Amendment #5 $200,000 Through 12/31/19 (Additional 2 months)

TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $2,950,000

Actual Expenditures ($2,350,848.94) Through 08/31/19

Remaining Balance $599,151.06 As of 09/01/19

Projected Expenditures ($400,000) 09/01/19 – 12/31/19

Estimated Balance $199,151.06 At end of contract term

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Item 8F

The contract is based on a not to exceed amount, with costs capped at $110,000 per month,

September – December 2019. The encumbered balance will be unencumbered at the end of the

contract term. 100% of funds received go toward services. CVAG costs to administer this program

are paid from CVAG’s General Fund.

Fiscal Impact: Information only.

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