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Home My WebLink About02/06/1990, 7 - REQUEST BY THE WOMEN'S SHELTER PROGRAM, INC. PROPOSING CITY SPONSORSHIP OF AN APPLICATION FOR A STA �� I�IIUI�Iip �� ► city of san l s oB�spo MEETING DATE: Feb.. 6, 1990 6096 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MW NUMBER: FROM: John Dunn, City Administrator Prepared by: Alison Lloyd, Administrative Analyst SUBJECT: Request by the Women's Shelter Program, Inc. proposing City sponsorship of an application for a state planning and technical assistance grant for the purpose of identifying and acquiring a permanent shelter site. CAO RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Women's Shelter Program, Inc. request for City sponsorship of an application for grant funding to identify and acquire a permanent shelter site which would include a $7,500 "in kind" contribution from the City. DISCUSSION: Background In December, The Women's Shelter Program, Inc. wrote to the City Council requesting that the City apply on their behalf for a planning and technical assistance grant through the State Department of Housing and Community Development (Attachment No. 1). The grant would enable the program to contract with People's Self Help Housing Corp. to assist in identifying and acquiring a permanent shelter site. The assistance by the People's Self Help Housing Corp. would include formally assigning a staff person to work with the Women's Shelter Program, Inc., over a 12 to 18 month period to assess program needs such as interior and exterior space, short-term clients versus medium-term clients, site inventory and evaluation, financial feasibility analysis, and low interest loan or grant procurement (Attachment No. 2). The Women's Shelter Program, Inc. has been assisting women and children who are the victims of domestic violence by offering emergency shelter and food, counseling and advocacy since 1979. Although the number of persons served by the shelter and the extent of the program have continued to increase over the years, rental costs have escalated at a disproportionately higher rate. The cost of renting their current facility is $2,000 per month. As a result, the program has given the highest priority to identifying and purchasing a permanent shelter site with grant funding. The ability to use grant funds for this purpose would reduce overhead and provide added stability to the program because operating funds could be used for other services such as counseling. '111011111112111111 Clty Of Sau . LUIS OBISPO =ONG@ COUNCIL AGENDA DEPORT Agenda Report Page Two Since the source of the State Planning and Technical Assistance Grant monies is a Community Development Block Grant, the application must be submitted by a governmental body which can pass the grant money through to local non-profit organizations which act as subgrantees. In addition, a matching contribution from a local government based on local sales tax revenue is required by the State. The City's contribution would be $7,500. Their original request, which included statistics that identified only 12% of the 173 persons who required shelter during FY 1988-89 as city residents, was denied by the City Administrator (Attachment No. 3 and No. 4). Instead, staff urged the Women's Shelter Program, Inc. to contact the County for assistance since it appeared that most of the shelter's clients were County rather than City residents. During the Council meeting of January 16, at the request Councilmember Roalman, Council directed that this issue be placed before them on February 6, for a final determination (Attachment No. 5). New Information Provided By The Women's Shelter Program. Inc. Since the original request was denied by the City Administrator on January 5, 1990, the Women's Shelter Program Inc., provided staff with the following additional information: 1. The statistics for FY 1988-89 which identified a small percentage of the total persons sheltered as city residents were misleading. Actually the Women's Shelter Program housed 20 women and children from the City of San Luis Obispo but an additional 76 women and children from the City of San Luis Obispo were referred to other shelters due to protection or overcrowding (Attachment No. 6). The Women's Shelter Program, Inc., will as a means of protecting their clients or. alleviating conditions of overcrowding at the local shelter, routinely refer city residents to other shelters outside the city. Thus, while at any one time City residents living at the San Luis shelter may be a small percentage, overall the Shelter Program serves a substantial number of City residents. 2. All or a portion of the City's $7,500 financial contribution can be made through "in kind" services at any time during the grant period, which commences when the State enters into the contract with the City on or about April 9, 1990. "In kind" services are those services rendered by City staff which can be assigned to the project (though not reimbrused). As an example, if the project required a City Planner's services to obtain a use permit, the cost of the planner's services could be charged against the $7,500 cash match requirement. I �� i��t�uHlll��pnu ► III city of san ties oBispo - i COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Agenda Report Page Three 3. The Women's Shelter Program, Inc. would not be able to rquest that the County apply for the grant on their behalf because it is almost definite that the County will also be applying for this grant for one of their projects. According to the General Provisions in the Request For Proposal each eligible city or county may receive one grant per year of up to $30,000 from the General Planning/Technical Assistance Allocation. Staff determined the additional information provided by the Women's Shelter Program, Inc. is significant enough to warrant approval of their request. Therefore, staff recommends that Council approve the shelter's request that the City apply on their behalf for a State Planning and Technical Assistance Grant. If Council concurs with staffs recommendation, staff will return to Council on February 20 for approval of the grant application. The application must be approved by resolution, following a public hearing. FISCAL IMPACT Although there is a $7,500 cost associated with recommending approval of the shelter's request, it can be met through the application of "in kind" services. While the "in-kind" services approach avoids the need to appropriate additional funds, it does represent a real cost to the City in that approximately $7,500 in staff time or other resources must be dedicated to the project over the next 24 months. However, even if the project was sponsored by another entity, staff time would undoubtedly be involved in the project to a degree. Given the number of residents served by the program, staff recommends investing the staff resources required to assist the Women's Shelter in their effort. If the grant is approved, staff will develop a system for tracking City "in-kind contributions". ALTERNATIVES In addition to the recommendation by staff, the following alternatives are listed for Council's consideration: 1. The Council approve the Women's Shelter Program, Inc. request that the City apply for a State Planning and Assistance Grant on the shelter's behalf and contribute a $7.500 cash match to comply with the State's matching funds requirement. The disadvantage of this alternative is that the City would have to appropriate additional funds for this unanticipated expense. The advantage of this alternative is that staff would not have to administer the costs asscociated with making an "in kind" contribution. Since some staff involvement will be required anyway, if this project goes forward, staff recommends using the "in-kind" approach. 7-3 ��n�in►i►��I1111111pp1 ��IUI MY Of Salt LUIS OBISPO - COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Agenda Report Page Four 2. The Council deny of the Women's Shelter Program, Inc. request that -the City apply for a State Planning and Assistance Grant on the shelter's behalf. The disadvantage of this alternative is that the Program will not have the opportunity to apply for the $30,000 grant to assist them in identifying and acquiring a permanent site. The advantage of this alternative is that the City would not have to appropriate additional funds, or invest staff time, for this unanticipated expense. Because of the number of City residents served by the Program, staff does not recommend this alternative. CONCURRENCES i Att rn Director of Finance ATTACHMENTS 1. Letter of December 14, 1989 from Marianne Kennedy and Mickey Feuer, Women's Shelter Program 2. Letter of December 20, 1989 from Scott Smith, Peoples' Self-Help Housing Corp. 3. Letter of December 29, 1989 from Marianne Kenney, Women's Shelter Program, Inc. 4. Letter of January 5, 1990 from John Dunn, City Administrative Office 5. Letter of January 16, 1990 from Marianne Kennedy and Mickey Feuer, Women's Shelter Program 6. Letter of January 24, 1990 from Marianne Kennedy, Women's Shelter Program E:wsp2.wp C" �� t ! 0Z om tiF O-NMEN'S SHELTER P tool AM, INC.44_.ro O� SAI: LUIS OBISPO Cownty Post Office Box 1.n5 5,-in Luis Obispo, California 93406 (505) 5•14_2321 �Mk IANM KFNNEDY Executive Director December 14 , 1989 Mayor Dunin and Members of. the City Council City Hall 990 Palm San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 Dear Mayor Dunin and Members of the City Council : i The Women' s Shelter Program, Inc. of San Luis Obispo County is requesting the City Council of San Luis Obispo apply on the behalf of the shelter for a planning and technical assistance grant through I the State Department of Housing and Community Development. The grant would enable the Women' s Shelter Program to contract with People' s Self Help Housing Corp. to assist in identifying and acquiring a permanent. facility for the Women' s Shelter Program. Since 1979 the Women' s Shelter Program has been assisting women and children who are the victims of domestic violence by offering emergency shelter and food, counseling and advocacy. The number of persons served and the extent of the program have constantly increased over the years. Unfortunately rental costs are escalating at a disproportionately higher rate. Consequently the Long-Range Planning Committee of the Board of Directors ' of the Women' s Shelter Program has given the highest priority to the goal of purchasing a permanent shelter site with grant financing thus securing more stability for the shelter while freeing operating funds for essential services such as counseling. Many donated services, such as electrical repairs, could be obtained if the shelter owned its own facility. With this goal in mind the Women' s Shelter Program would use the planning and technical assistance grant funds to contract the services of People's Self Help Housing Corp. to assist the Long- Range Planning Committee in identifying a suitable property, negotiating an agreement with the seller, and obtaining grant financing for the purchase. The State Community Development Block Grant staff have been contacted regarding this application, and they are very supportive and encouraging. OThe application must be submitted by a governmental body which can pass the money through to a non-profit organization. The ATTACHMENT NO. 1 7-6 C State staff recommended the City of. San Luis Obispo be the applicant agency since the Women's Shelter Program is situated within the city. We appreciate pp your consideration of our request for the City to apply for this grant as we feel the purchase of a permanent shelter for battered women would not only benefit our clients but also the City of San Luis Obispo. Sincerely, �c 7 Marianne Kennedy Executive Director Mickey Feuer Chair, Board of Directors MK/st 74 t K. Harm Pinn December 20, 1989 Ssr Mayor Ron Dunin City of San Luis Obispo P. O. Box 8100 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8100 Dear Mr. Dunin: Thank you for your time spent meeting with Marianne Kennedy and myself last Thursday. To reiterate, Women's Shelter and Peoples' Self-Help Housing would like to request that the City of San .Luis Obispo apply on our behalf for a $300000 Planning and Technical Assistance Grant from the State Department of Housing and Community Development. Since the source of funds is Community Development Block Grant, only cities and counties can apply to the State directly; they in turn may pass the grant money through to local non-profit corporations which act as subgrantees. I have tried . to summarize for you significant information regarding our request: Purpose The grant would enable Peoples' Self-Help Housing to continue working with the Executive Director, Board and Long Range C Planning Committee of the Women's Shelter Program over the next 12 to 18 months toward their goal of obtaining a permanent site. Achievement of this objective will lower the program' s overhead and provide added stability to the operation, allowing more energy and resources directly for counseling and services . Assistance will include assessment of program needs (interior and exterior space, short-term versus medium-term clients, etc) , site inventory and evaluation, financial feasibility analysis and low interest loan or grant procurement. Peoples' Self-Help Housing (PSHHC) has worked with the Women's Shelter Program intermittently for the past year, on a volunteer, cooperative basis. The State Planning and Technical Assistance Grant would enable PSHHC to formally assign a staff person to work with Women's Shelter Program over a 12 to 18 month period. In December 1989 Women's Shelter Board of Directors voted their unanimous support for the described project. Process The City applies on* behalf of Women's Shelter Program and Peoples' Self-Help Housing for the proposed project. PSHHC would prepare the entire state application for the C City at no cost to the City. RECEIVED Peoples,Self-Help Mousing Corp. 11545 Los Osp Volley Rood, Suite C-3 DEC Z G 198 n Son Luis Obispo,California 93401 1,/% / (805) 544-5717 ATTACID ENT N0. 2 - CITV CflUNrI 1 Mayor Ron Dunin December 20, 1989 Page Two - One public meeting is required prior to submittal of the Application. This may be conducted by City staff or their agent and does not have to be before City Council. One public hearing before Council is required approving the application prior to .its submittal to the State. Matchinc Requirement A local government cash match is required by the .State. The amount is based on local. sales tax revenue.. The amount for San Luis Obispo has not been published at this writing but is anticipated at $4, 000 - $51000. Exact figures should be published within the next week. The match must be documented in a resolution adopted at the public hearing. Tentative Schedule Public meeting and public hearing completed. By 1/16/90 Application submitted and processed by State. 1/16 - 4/1 Awards announced and contracts prepared. 4/1 - 7/1 Women's Shelter/PSHHC Activity commences. 7/1 - 12/91 The above schedule is tentative, based upon anticipated State deadlines which should be published within the next week. We met with City Planning staff (Terry Sanville and Pam Ritchie) and they are very supportive of our proposal. The State Department of Housing and Community Development has visited San Luis Obispo to meet with Women's Shelter and PSHHC and encourages our proceeding. We thank you for your consideration and will contact you shortly regarding necessary follow-up. Sincerely, PEOPLES ' SELF-HELP HOUSING CORP. . SCOt$ Smith Director of Programs i WOMEN-'S SHELTER PROGRAM, INC. of san Luis osispo county Post Office Box 125 San Luis Obispo, California 93406 TO: (805) 544-2321 MARIANNE KENNEDY / Executive.Director December 29, 1989 Alison Lloyd City of San Luis Obispo Administrative Office P.O. Box 8100 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8100 Dear Ms. Lloyd , The primary purpose of the Women ' s Shelter Program, Inc. of San Luis Obispo County is to provide crisis support, emergency housing and comprehensive services (food , clothing, transportation, counseling, advocacy, information and referral ) to battered women and their endangered children from throughout the county, thus protecting them from immediate or potential danger in their Oown homes. Our goal is to interrupt the "cycle of violence" and .safegua.rd these women and children from the crime of battering. During fiscal year 88/89 the shelter gave 173 residents (79 women and 94 children) 4, 344 nights of • shelter, 13 ,032 meals, over 2 ,000. hours of counseling and. over 1 , 500 hours of . therapeutic childcare. The resident distribution was South County 45% North County 10% North Coastal 24% SLO City 12% Out of county 9% If there is any other information you need, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Marianne Kennedy Executive Director O ATTACHMENT N0. 3 �• 9 ��III�Iilllll C� �- Iliilllhlll�� 111111► city ofSal�1 x,115 oBispoOMMIMIAWSy 990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93403.8100 January 5, 1990 Ms. Marianne Kennedy Women's Shelter Program, Inc. P. O. Box 125 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 RE: Planning and Technical Assistance Grant Dear Ms. Kennedy.- We have reviewed your letter requesting that the City. Council apply on behalf of your organization for a grant to assist with the acquisition of a permanent facility. With sincere regret, I must inform you that the staff cannot recommend the use of City funds for this purpose at this time. Social service funding is handled thorugh the City's. annual Grants-in-Aid Program which grants funding to local non-profit and human services agencies through an established process. Those agencies which request and meet the eligibility requirements for funding, submit proposals to the Human Relations Commission. The Commission evaluates them and formulates its recommendations at a Public Hearing. Agencies are given the opportunity to make oral presentations at the hearing. The Commission then submits their recommendations for the City Council's review and final funding decision. Due to the time constraints imposed by the state and since the majority of your clientele are currently county residents we suggest that it may be more appropriate for you to ask the county to apply for the grant on your behalf at this time. If you choose to apply for funding through the City's Grants-in-Aid Program, and we invite you to do so, the applications will be available for. distribution on January 17th. As a means of making your proposal more competitive, you may wish to consider requesting funding for only that portion of your clientele who are residents of the City. You may also wish to consider securing matching funds from the county. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the Human Relations Commission Grants-in-Aid -Program further, please call Alison Lloyd at 549-7152. Sincerely Dunn City Administrative Officer c. City Council ATTACHMENT N0. 4 /O A ac SEN ',F-SHELTER PROGPAM, INC. OC SMI LUIS 0131SPO COU11ZY JAN 1 6 1990 czit Oiiice Bo,%, 125 METING AGENDA CTY CLERK fo SAN LUIS OBISPO,CA Dk7t � ITEM 944 ('z1(5' 54.1-232" Lwow action by Lead F-wsan .'.AXIANNL XENNEDY bccutivc Director 4 by January 16 , 1990 ;Wr ni Youo 0'3;dv Ar.y Mayor Ron Dunin City Hall 990 Palm San Luis Obispo, CA 9408 Dear Mayor Dunin, The Women ' s Shelter Program, Inc. of San Luis Obispo County is requesting the City Council of San Luis Obispo place on its agenda for February 6 , 1990 an item concerning the City Council a 1 in on the behalf of the shelter for -a planning and tac nical assistance gra—p —t-TiFroug �he State Department—of -Housing and Community Development. Time is critical due to the upcoming application deadline of February 22 , 1990 for the first round of funding. The grant would include a $7 , 500 match from the City of San Luis Obispo, the payment of wh';ch would be conditional -on the--aw-a-rd of the grant. OThe requested funds from the city would be used for a planning and housing assistance program as opposed to the usual social service programs of the Women' s Shelter Program. Since 1979 the Women' s Shelter Program has been assisting women and children who are the victims of domestic violence by offering emergency shelter and food, counseling and advocacy. The number of persons served and the extent of the program have constantly increased over the years. Unfortunately rental costs are escalating at a disproportionately higher rate. Consequently the Long-Range Planning Committee of the Board of Directors' of the Women' s Shelter Program has given the highest priority to the goal of purchasing a permanent shelter site with grant financing thus securing more stability .for the shelter while freeing operating funds for essential services such as counseling. Many donated services , such as electrical repairs, could be obtained if the shelter owned its own facillit, With this goal in mind the Women' s Shelter Program would use the planning and technical assistance grant funds to contract the services of People' s Self Help Housing Corp. to assist the Long-Range Planning Committee in identifying a suitable property, negotiating an agreement with the seller, and obtaining grant financing for the purchase.. The State Community Development Block Grant staff have been contacted regarding this application, and they are very supportive and encouraging. The application must be submitted by a governmental body which ATTACHMENT NO. 5 �J�// can pass the money.hrough to a non-profit org-aization. The State staff recommended the City of San Luis Obispo be the applicant agency since the Women' s Shelter Program is situated within the city. We appreciate your consideration of our request for the City to apply for this grant as we feel the purchase of a permanent shelter for battered women would not only benefit our clients but also the city of San Luis Obispo. Sincerely, Marianne Kennedy Executive Director Mickey Feuer Chair, Board of Directors MK/st WOMEN' :SHELTER PRO GkA.M, INC. o� san Luis oaispo county C' Post Office Box 125 .a>: Luis Obispo, California 93406 Tel: (505) 544-2321 MARIANNE KENNEDY / Executive Director January 24, 1990 Alison Lloyd City of San Luis Obispo Administrative Office P.O. Box 8100 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8100 Dear Ms. Lloyd, As we discussed at our meeting on January 22 , 1990, the statistics showing place of origin for the Women' s Shelter Program residents are misleading. C.' Often women and children from the City of San Luis Obispo are referred to other shelters either because the Women' s Shelter Program is full or because it would be safer for them to be sheltered away from the abuser. In FY 88/89 the Women's Shelter Program housed 20 women and children from the City of San Luis .Obispo but an additional 76 women and children from the City of San Luis Obispo were referred to other shelters. Sincerely, Marianne Kennedy Executive Director MK/st O ATTACfa1ENT NO. 6 7`