To: Board of Supervisors
From: Dr. Grant Colfax, Health Services Director
Report Title: Agreement #78-091 with City of Richmond
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Health Services Director, or designee, to execute on behalf of the County Agreement #78-091 with the City of Richmond, to pay the County an amount not to exceed $4,403,705 to provide housing support services for the City of Richmond’s (hereinafter “City”) Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Program for the period from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this Agreement will allow the County to receive an amount not to exceed $4,403,705 from the City of Richmond to provide ERF Program housing support services through June 30, 2027. (No County match is required)
BACKGROUND:
The County’s housing support services for the City of Richmond ’s ERF project are needed to provide necessary housing support services for those residing in the City’s identified encampment. The City does not have the expertise or staffing required to successfully transition individuals experiencing homelessness into housing and is relying on the expertise of the County to do so. This encampment has been prioritized due to being a “legacy” encampment in Contra Costa County and presents high health and safety risks to residents and the local community. Previous and existing partnerships with the Richmond Police Department and local providers have been in place for years, and the encampment has remained active due to high housing costs, limited ongoing engagement, and difficulty accessing the encampment. The encampment is hidden among steep terrain and slippery footing, posing safety risks such as risk of fall and flood. The encampment residents have lived outdoors in the encampment for years, where they are at risk of chronic health conditions from exposure. Many residents are on probation or parole, and many have low to no income, creating high and near-impassable barriers to housing. Along with Richmond’s Coordinated Outreach, Referral, and Engagement (CORE) team, County staff will provide targeted services to individuals experiencing homelessness and will work collaboratively with Richmond Police Department, Healthcare for the Homeless, County Behavioral Health services, Coordinated Entry (CE) service providers, and other community-based programs providing services in the County.
Under new Agreement #78-091, County will receive funds to provide housing support services for the City of Richmond’s ERF Program through June 30, 2027. This Agreement includes County agreeing to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City for claims arising out of County’s performance under this Agreement. This Agreement is delayed due to County not receiving the agreement documents from the City until July 30, 2025 and prolonged contract language negotiations thereafter.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this Agreement is not approved, County will not receive funding to provide housing support services for the City’s ERF Program and encampment residents will not receive supportive services.