Contract for More Measure H Funds on Monday’s City Council Consent Calendar

The City Council is expected to authorize the city manager to approve and execute a contract amendment with the Los Angeles Community Development Authority (LACDA) to receive $103,667 in Measure H Funds for the Homeless Incentive Program (HIP).

HIP provides incentive payments to landlords to rent their units to homeless persons who are using housing vouchers to assist with rent, and on behalf of homeless voucher holders to assist them to secure a unit.

In 2017, L.A. County voters approved Measure H, a quarter percent sales tax to combat homelessness.

The city was initially allocated $96,250 in HIP funds in 2018, following council approval of an interagency agreement between the city. The city later received two subsequent amendments to the agreement for additional HIP for $101,750 and $123,750, for a total of $321,750. Pasadena is now eligible to receive an additional $103,667.

Since the implementation of HIP, 49 Pasadena households experiencing homelessness who have been issued rental vouchers have been able to secure rental units and become permanently housed through the use of these funds.

“Eligible incentives under HIP include holding fees to landlords in the amount of one month’s rent, renewable for one additional month; credit check and rental application fee assistance; security and utility deposit assistance; and damage claim assistance if a program participant causes damages to a unit costing in excess of the security deposit,” according to a city staff report. 

“These incentives assist persons exiting homelessness to compete more effectively in the current rental market, which is experiencing very low vacancy rates and average rents that are generally higher than housing vouchers are able to pay,” states the report. 

The item is part of the council agenda’s consent calendar, which contains several matters that all can be passed with a single sweep vote. Individual items can be held for separate discussion and possible passage.

Following are the other items on Monday’s consent calendar: 

• An amendment to increase a purchase order with California Metro Patrol from $24,999 to a revised not-to-exceed amount of $143,570 and extend the term through June 30. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a considerable increase in people seeking community-based services at the Jackie Robinson Community Center (JRCC). Over the last 14 months, there have been significant events that have compromised safety and property at JRCC. In October 2020, homeless encampments began popping up at the center. Last December a man seeking services set fire in a temporary trailer. In March, the city began removing the trailers. Two months later, a large fight erupted at the center. In June city employees were harassed and threatened and a security guard was assaulted in June.
• An amendment to a city contract with The FID Group to increase the total contract value by $25,000 for a not-to-exceed amount of $50,000 and extend the term through June 30. As part of the same item, the City Council could authorize City Manager Steve Mermell to amend a contract with Housing Works to add an additional year of funding for a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $80,838 through June 30. The additional funds will ensure the continued local homelessness prevention, emergency shelter and street outreach services for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
• Approval of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the city and the Pasadena Firefighters Association, Local 809. The Pasadena Firefighters Association represents 153 full-time employees in the classifications of firefighter, fire engineer, and fire captain engaged in fire suppression, search and rescue, and emergency service delivery. The most recent MOU between the city and the PFFA expired on Sept. 30. A new tentative agreement was reached on Oct. 26. Under the new MOU, base pay for all classifications will be increased by 2.25%. Paramedics will receive additional compensation. 
• A $249,244 contract with Meridian Rapid Defense Group for 34 Archer Anti-Vehicle Barriers and two haulers. After the city approved outdoor dining, the Department of Transportation issued a purchase order to Meridian Rapid Defense Group for the rental of the Archer anti-vehicle barriers to be part of the on-street dining closures. The Meridian Archer barrier is a safety component that has been required by the city for special event street closures and for on-street dining without adjacent parking. The Department of Transportation does not recommend that the on-street dining areas operate without the inclusion of some type of anti-vehicle barriers. The Meridian Archers are designed to withstand head-on impacts from a vehicle, therefore adding an additional layer of protection for the on-street dining areas. The Archers can be used to supplement barriers that are rented for events such as the Rose Parade. This device has been approved for use by the Pasadena Police Department to protect vehicles from entering secured areas. Meridian Rapid Defense Group is based in Pasadena.