City Council Could Authorize More Funds Be Spent on Motel Vouchers for the Homeless

Pasadena’s Department of Housing is recommending an increase in the amount the City pays Foothill Unity Center, Inc. and Housing Works, which are local non-profit agencies, for continuing to house individuals experiencing homelessness during this time of the pandemic.

The recommendation will be taken up during the City Council meeting on Monday, June 21.

The Housing Department wants to increase Purchase Order 1210373, covering Foothill Unity Center Inc., by $40,001 towards a new amount of $115,000, and Purchase Order 1210374 for Housing Works by $31,779 to make it $177,112.

These increases will add Emergency Solutions Grant CARES (ESG-CV) funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“The City is currently contracted with each of these agencies for the provision of other homeless services including motel vouchers, street outreach, and rapid rehousing,” a report by the Housing Department said. “The Department recommends a competitive selection exemption due to ongoing critical need to provide protective non-congregate shelter at motels to this vulnerable population during the pandemic which will protect health and life.”

The beneficiaries of these services were previously covered by the Housing Department’s Emergency Motel Program, later renamed Project Roomkey, which provided them shelter at motel sites.

When regular motel business began to increase in the early summer, the motel operator eventually terminated its participation in the program, and the City transitioned into purchase orders with four local homeless services agencies, which had clients enrolled in the original Emergency Motel Program, for the provision of motel vouchers. Two of the purchase orders were later terminated, leaving Foothill Unity Center and Housing Works to continue services.

These purchase orders, established through the City’s Emergency Operations Center, were granted exemption from competitive bidding as well as exemption from competitive selection for contracts for labor, materials, supplies, or services for actual emergency work.

Each of these agencies received funding in an amount proportional to the number of clients that were exiting the Emergency Motel Program and included funds for administrative costs and contingency in case of damages.

The Housing Department said approval of the recommendation will provide protective non-congregate shelter for people experiencing homelessness who are identified as highly vulnerable to serious illness or death from COVID-19.

Funding for these increases will be covered by ESG-CV funds approved by the City Council on May 4 and October 19 last year and are included in the Housing Department’s fiscal year 2021 operating budget.