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CC:HA - CONSENT ITEM: Approval of an Amendment to the Existing Professional Services Agreement with Upward Bound House for Homeless Outreach and Case Management for Homeless Children and their Families, Extending the Agreement for an Additional Three- Year Term in an Amount Not-to- Exceed $184,361 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026; $189,892 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027; and $195,589 for Fiscal Year 2027-2028.
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Meeting Date: June 23, 2025
Contact Person/Dept.: Tevis Barnes/Housing and Human Services
Christina Stoffers/Housing and Human Services
Phone Number: (310) 253-5789
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (06/19/2025); Advisory Committee on Housing and Homelessness (06/17/2025); Upward Bound House (03/14/2025)
Department Approval: Tevis Barnes, (05/30/2025) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council and the Culver City Housing Authority (Housing Authority) Board approve an amendment to the existing professional services agreement with Upward Bound House (UBH) to perform homeless outreach, case management and permanent housing placement to Culver City homeless families, extending the agreement for an additional three-year term in an additional amount not to exceed $184,361 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, $189,892 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and $195,589 for Fiscal Year 2027-2028.
BACKGROUND
In 2010, Upward Bound House purchased and converted the Sun Motel in Culver City into Family Shelter to address the lack of emergency shelter services for families in the area. Family Shelter is unique and is the only emergency shelter program for families in the Culver City area.
The Family Shelter provides a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for families in need. It includes 18 private units, each designed to accommodate a family of up to four. Every unit is furnished with beds for both adults and children, a refrigerator and microwave, a full bathroom, ample storage and closet space, and essential furnishings to ensure comfort and stability. Residents receive two nutritious meals daily-a convenient “grab-and-go” breakfast and a hot dinner served in the evening. UBH staffs the Family Shelter 24/7 to ensure a safe and stable environment. Staff are responsible for maintaining security, supporting families with daily needs, enforcing program guidelines, and addressing any facility or maintenance concerns-fostering a consistent and supportive space for families to rebuild their lives.
From 2022 to 2025, UBH Family Shelter provided crisis housing, meals, and wraparound support to 111 families (138 adults and 158 children). Referrals came from partners such as the Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) and the Housing Authority. During this period, 47 families secured permanent housing, six entered transitional housing, and 31 families increased their income through employment. Notably, no youth enrolled in CCUSD became disconnected from school due to housing instability.
DISCUSSION
Upon entry, families work with a case manager to develop an individualized housing plan that contains goals in a number of areas like Housing, Employment, Health, Children’s Education, etc. Families then work to carry out the plan with the ultimate goal of moving into permanent housing and living healthy, independent lives. Below is a list of supportive services UBH families receive:
• Intensive Case Management - Each family receives personalized support through a custom case plan based on their unique strengths and needs.
• Housing Search and Placement - Case Managers help families find suitable housing and overcome rental barriers like poor credit or prior evictions, through partnerships with landlords.
• Employment Services - Employment Specialists assist with job readiness, training, applications, and job retention through ongoing support.
• Emotional/Clinical Support - Mental health services support healing from trauma, foster resilience, and improve children's emotional and academic well-being.
• Additional Services - Includes access to childcare, healthcare, nutrition programs, a newly renovated computer lab for job searches and homework, financial literacy training, and family enrichment activities. (In 2024, UBH renovated the computer room with funding from the Rotary Club of Culver City, creating an updated space for children to do homework and for parents to pursue online courses and job searches).
• Housing Retention and Aftercare - Ongoing support for families in permanent housing to ensure stability, crisis intervention, and community engagement, including participation in social events.
The majority of UBH supportive services are offered for up to a year after participants move into permanent housing as part of their Retention and Aftercare services.
UBH has assisted the following unhoused families from July 1, 2024, through May 15, 2025. (See Attached No 1. UBH Stats 22-25 for more details):
• 32 Unhoused Families Served
• 87 Persons Served
• 41 Adults Served
• 46 Children Served
• 116 Unhoused Families Connected to Services
• 8 Unhoused Families Permanent Housed
• 2 Culver City/CCUSD Families Served
• 1 Culver City/CCUSD Families Placed in Permanent Housing
• 5 Families Increased Income through Employment
Historically, these services had been paid for through the Housing Authority’s Low-and-Moderate Income Housing Asset Fund, so the agreement was only with the Housing Authority. Starting in Fiscal Year 2025-2026, funding for the agreement will come from the General Fund. As such, the City of Culver City will need to become a party to the agreement.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The proposed amendment establishes a multi-year extension to the existing contract with Upward Bound House to deliver vital services including homeless outreach, intensive case management, and permanent housing placement. The amendment allocates up to $184,361 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, with a planned 3% increase in each of the subsequent years-$189,892 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and $195,589 for Fiscal Year 2027-2028. The Fiscal Year 2025-2026 allocation represents a 12.4% increase from the prior year’s amount of $162,756. This increase is primarily driven by inflation and the rising cost of goods and services over the past year. In addition, UBH is facing a projected funding shortfall due to anticipated reductions in support from the State of California’s Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention program. The proposed funding will not only help offset these operational cost increases but also allow UBH to expand access to critically needed clinical services. Many of the families served by UBH present with high-acuity needs, particularly in the areas of mental and emotional health, underscoring the importance of sustaining and enhancing these support services.
Funding for the Upward Bound House contract has historically come from the Low-and-Moderate-Income Housing Asset Fund. The Low-and-Moderate Income Housing Asset Fund has been depleted by the funding allocation to the Jubilo Village Affordable Housing project, approved as part of the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Moving forward, the services provided by Upward Bound House will need to be funded by the General Fund. The Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 includes sufficient funding in the amount of $184,361 in Account No. 10135100.619830 (Housing and Human Services Administration - Other Contractual Services Unhoused). Funding for future years of the agreement will be included in future fiscal year budgets.
Pursuant to Culver City Municipal Code Section 3.07.065.A, professional services are exempt from formal competitive bidding procedures provided the agreement is based upon competitive quotations, whenever practical, as determined by the City Manager. In this instance, it is not feasible to acquire competitive quotations as Upward Bound House is the sole provider of emergency shelter services within the City’s service area. Additionally, based on UBH’s familiarity with and knowledge of Culver City’s homeless population, as well as their significant and successful results, staff recommends the City’s continue use of UBH as a vendor for this service.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025-06-23-ATT No 1. UBH Stats 22-25
MOTION(S)
That the City Council and the Culver City Housing Authority Board:
1. Approve an amendment to the existing professional services agreement with Upward Bound House to perform homeless outreach, case management, and permanent housing placement to Culver City homeless families, extending the agreement for an additional three-year term in an additional amount not to exceed $184,361 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, $189,892 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, and $195,589 for Fiscal Year 2027-2028.
2. Authorize the City Attorney/Housing Authority General Counsel to review/prepare the necessary documents; and
3. Authorize the City Manager/Executive Director to execute such documents on behalf of the Culver City Housing Authority.