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In addressing this difficult situation, the HSC made a detailed review of HHSG guidelines, priorities, and local need and developed its recommendation accordingly to focus as closely as possible on core areas of need. However, in its discussions at the March 1 meeting (as described in Attachment 2, the minutes from the meeting), the HSC wanted to forward a recommendation to the City Council to consider increasing its annual allocation of funds from the General Fund to enable a general higher level of funding for human services in future years (e.g., for FY 2018/19). The HSC also urged the Council to consider developing an alternate means of future funding for human services for the Pleasanton community. Applications Recommended for HOME AND LIHF Funding In past years, the City has utilized its Lower Income Housing Fund (LIHF) to supplement limited CDBG program funding for important housing-related services. HOME Funds received through the Alameda County HOME Consortium have also historically been appropriated through the HHSG Process. Housing services applications were reviewed by the Housing Commission at its March 16 meeting. The minutes from the meeting are included as Attachment 3. The recommendations summarized below would result in the allocation of $140,000 in LIHF funds and $70,000 in HOME funds for FY 2017. The funding amounts for these two sources are fairly constant as compared to historical levels and are typically tied to the amounts requested for the services that have traditionally been funded by the City: Abode Services/HOPE Outreach Abode Services has applied for a second year of funding ($58,719) for its operation of the HOPE Outreach program in Pleasanton. This program is related to increased efforts to address issues around homelessness in the Tri-Valley in a more coordinated and proactive manner. Staff and the HC are supportive of recommending $50,000 for this program which is slightly less than the requested amount but should be sufficient to sustain the program in the coming year (since the project was initiated in October 2016 and funds from FY 2016/17 have not been fully drawn) as agreed upon by Abode. Abode Services/Tri-Valley Rapid Re-housing Program Abode Services has also applied for $130,355 in HHSG funding for the Tri-Valley Housing Rapid Re-housing Program (TVRRP) which would provide housing support services and temporary subsidies to households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Pleasanton. Of the total amount, approximately two-thirds would be for rent subsidies which are traditionally funded using federal HOME funds. The remaining third would be for housing support services for clients and would be funded through the City's Lower Income Housing Fund (LIHF). Staff and the HC are recommending $120,000 for this project. As with the HOPE Outreach program discussed above, Abode has not yet drawn any of the funds that were allocated for FY 2016/17 because the TVRRP is still in the early stages of implementation. Abode has agreed that the combination of FY 2016/17 and FY 2017/18 funds should be sufficient to sustain the program in the coming year. ECHO Housing/Housing Counseling Services ECHO has applied for $40,000 in City LIHF funds to continue to provide federally required housing counseling and fair housing services to Pleasanton residents. The agency, which provides important support and counseling services for persons seeking housing options or persons at risk of losing housing, has received similar levels of support in the past. Staff is recommending continued financial support for ECHO's services at the requested level. Page 8 of 11