Laserfiche WebLink
BACKGROUND <br /> The City has operated a First Time Home Buyer Program for many years, with <br /> supporting program services provided until 2014 by the Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity <br /> Center (TVHOC). TVHOC closed in 2014, and at that time the Cities of Livermore, <br /> Dublin, and Pleasanton collaborated to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify <br /> agencies that could provide administration support and homebuyer counseling services <br /> for the City's Below Market Rate (BMR) Homeownership Programs and other First Time <br /> Homebuyer Programs. <br /> In 2014, ECHO Housing was selected as the most qualified provider of homebuyer <br /> education services as it is a HUD-certified housing counseling agency with experience <br /> providing first time homebuyer education workshops through grants received from the <br /> U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). <br /> As a result of the same RFP process, Hello Housing was selected as the firm most <br /> qualified to provide the BMR administration services. Pleasanton contracted with Hello <br /> Housing between January 2016 and April 2021, when the organization informed the City <br /> that it would no longer provide homebuyer program administration services. As a result, <br /> in March 2021, the City issued a new RFP for homebuyer program administration, from <br /> which BAAHA was selected. <br /> More information on ECHO Housing and BAAHA's scope of services are provided <br /> below, and a summary of their performance under the current agreements is provided in <br /> Attachment 3. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> Both ECHO Housing and BAAHA are providing specialized and essential services in <br /> support of the City's homebuyer programs. Both agencies have a positive performance <br /> history in Pleasanton, having provided their services with success for a number of <br /> years. Moreover, with their experience and expertise, both agencies are considered <br /> sole source service providers which will be most successful in offering these services to <br /> Pleasanton residents without disruption or issues. ECHO Housing is a HUD-certified <br /> housing counseling agency that provides first time homebuyer education workshops <br /> through grants received from HUD. BAAHA, meanwhile, has been providing services to <br /> municipal governments, such as Pleasanton, to assist low- and moderate-income <br /> families in becoming homeowners. The proposed agreements establish services with <br /> ECHO Housing and BAAHA for one year, and allow for the agreements to be extended <br /> annually with City Manager approval through year five (maximum term through June 30, <br /> 2028) <br /> ECHO Housing - Proposed Agreement for Fiscal Year 2023/24 <br /> ECHO Housing has delivered homebuyer education services on behalf of the City since <br /> January 2016. Based on past years' performance, staff recommends that ECHO <br /> Housing's services continue for a period up to five years, and not to exceed $125,000 in <br /> total compensation. The proposed agreement will allow ECHO Housing to continue to <br /> provide pre- and post-purchase counseling services at the Housing Opportunity Center <br /> (HOC) it established at 141 North Livermore Avenue (the former Tri-Valley Housing <br /> Opportunity Center in Livermore), through-a part-time dedicated homebuyer counselor <br /> Page of <br />