CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION and HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY COMMITTEE REPORT relative to a Bridge Housing project located at 1426 Paloma Street.

Recommendations for Council action, as initiated by Motion (Huizar - O'Farrell), SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR:

1. DETERMINE the Bridge Housing Project on 1426 Paloma Street, which allows the development and use of the property as a temporary shelter, is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Article 19, Section 15303, Class 3(e), 15332 Class 32; and the City of Los Angeles CEQA Guidelines, Art. III, Sec. 1, Class 3(6), as set forth in the Notice of Exemption attached to the Council file.
   
   
2. AUTHORIZE the General Manager, Department of General Services (GSD) to:
   
   
   1. Negotiate and execute a three year lease agreement with B.F.Z., LLC. and A.F.M.K., Inc. for a privately owned facility at 1400-1426 Paloma Street to be utilized as Bridge Housing, with the option to renew at the discretion of the City Council.
      
      
   2. Negotiate and execute a three year sub-lease agreement with Home at Last to operate a Bridge Housing facility at this site for the duration of the lease agreement, with the option to renew at the discretion of the City Council.
      
      
3. APPROVE funds in the amount of $1,333,178 to lease the property at 1426 Paloma Street for 36 months for the purpose of establishing a Bridge Housing facility.  Funds to be appropriated from Homeless Emergency Aid Program Grant Fund No. 60P/10, AC-2 – Capital and Operating Support – Skid Row.
   
   
4. AUTHORIZE the Controller to transfer $1,333,178 from Homeless Emergency Aid Program Grant Fund No. 60P/10, AC-2 – Capital and Operating Support – Skid Row to the GSD Fund No. 100/40, Account No. 6030, Leasing Account.
   
   
5. DIRECT the City Administrative Officer (CAO) to:
   
   
   1. Prepare any additional Controller instructions or make any necessary technical adjustments consistent with the Mayor and Council action in this matter, and authorize the Controller to implement these instructions.
      
      
   2. Negotiate and sign a letter of agreement with the County of Los Angeles (County) outlining the City, County, and Operator responsibilities for this facility.
      
      
6. INSTRUCT the City Homeless Coordinator to coordinate with the County to identify funds for interim housing operations at the site, including, but not limited to County Measure H revenue.
   
   

Fiscal Impact Statement:  Neither the CAO nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.

Community Impact Statement:  None submitted.