On December 1, 2022, the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (CalICH) released a $237,301,738 Notification of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the second disbursement of the Encampment Resolution Funding Grant Program. This initiative is dedicated to addressing unsheltered homelessness; focusing on the safety, well-being, and housing solutions for individuals residing in encampments. This grant prioritizes activities with clear pathways to permanent housing or directly into permanent housing, using data-informed, non-punitive, low-barrier, person-centered, Housing First, and coordinated approaches.

On February 28, 2023, staff submitted a funding proposal amounting to approximately $3.4 million with the intent to deploy resources to assist homeless encampment individuals at four (4) homeless encampment sites in Garden Grove along the 22 Freeway: 1) Beach Blvd., 2) Euclid St., 3) Newhope St., and 4) Haster St. The proposed allocation of funds was intended to support the Navigation Center operations, bolster street outreach efforts, enhance data collection through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and contribute to the Caltrans Fencing Improvement Project.

On June 30, 2023, staff re-submitted a funding proposal totaling $1,921,500, targeting resource allocation to the Beach Blvd. homeless encampment. This encampment was selected due to its substantial size, high population density, rapid influx of transient individuals, and a significant volume of emergency service calls and incidents of violent criminal activity. On September 12, 2023, the City received the full amount of $1,921,500 from the CalICH.

The City intends to allocate the awarded amount of $1,921,500 to enhance the operations of the Navigation Center and to expand street outreach efforts in close coordination with the Garden Grove Police Department Special Resource Team (SRT), BeWell OC Mobile Response Unit, and the County of Orange Office of Care Coordination.  $330,000, of the $1,921,500, will be designated to the County for street outreach, individualized support, and case management for chronic homeless individuals residing in the Beach Blvd encampment.   

There is no fiscal impact on the General Fund. The Encampment Resolution Funding Grant (ERF-3-L) Program does not require a match from the City. 

The budget summary is as follows:

It is recommended that the City Council:

•  Authorize the Finance Director to appropriate the ERF-3-L awarded amount, not to exceed $1,921,500;

• Authorize the City Manager, or her designee(s), to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County of Orange and the City, and make minor modifications as appropriate thereto including the provision of $330,000 in funding, on behalf of the City; and

• Authorize the City Manager, or her designees, to execute any agreements and amendments related to the ERF-3-L or MOU.

By: Christy Le, Homeless Liaison Analyst