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Council approves NOFA for rapid rehousing under Encampment Resolution Fund; $1.39 million earmarked for housing navigation and six months of rent
Summary
The San Bernardino mayor and city council unanimously approved a Notice of Funding Availability for rapid rehousing under the state's Encampment Resolution Fund, allocating $1,392,432 to subsidize rent, security deposits and case management for about 60 people along a 5.2-mile encampment corridor centered on Waterman Avenue.
The San Bernardino mayor and city council unanimously approved a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for rapid rehousing under the Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF3), authorizing staff to solicit subcontractors to deliver case management, landlord engagement and six months of rental assistance for roughly 60 individuals or households along a 5.2-mile corridor prioritized around Waterman Avenue.
Deputy director of housing and homelessness Cassandra Searcy presented the NOFA. She told the council the city released the application on Jan. 21 and set an application deadline of Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. Searcy said the city is seeking to use ERF3 funds to assist encampments from 40th Street to Mill Street and may consider properties that abut Waterman Avenue as eligible areas.
Searcy described two main program components: administration (case management, housing navigation and landlord engagement) and implementation (rental subsidies and incentives). The rapid-rehousing allocation for this NOFA is $1,392,432 and the proposed grant term runs through June 30, 2027. Staff said the program aims to assist 60 people—estimated as 54 one-bedroom placements and six two-bedroom placements—by covering rent for up to six months as well as security deposits and utility assistance.
Searcy explained assumptions staff used for average maximum assistance: roughly $1,611 per month for a one-bedroom and a maximum of $2,010 for a two-bedroom, and landlord incentives averaging about $1,650 per unit to encourage participation. The subcontractor will be required to use the county's HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) and coordinated entry (CES) systems for tracking and reporting. Searcy said the city received a conditional award from the California Department of Housing and Community Development; the city's total ERF3 allocation is $4,569,511 but the NOFA portion presented focuses on the rapid-rehousing portion of $1,392,432.
Public commenters, including service providers and residents, urged the council to move quickly and to focus on specific encampment parcels where residents have expressed acute need. Christian Shaughnessy, speaking for nonprofits and housing providers, said he and others wanted confirmation on projected timelines; council members responded that the program is a priority and staff said they expect the contractor to be selected after the Feb. 26 deadline with the goal of beginning services in April or early May at the latest.
Council member Ortiz asked about monitoring and accountability; Searcy said subcontractors must submit monthly reports to the city, participate in landlord engagement and multidisciplinary team meetings for case coordination, and enter client data into HMIS/CES. She said audits and monthly reporting will support transparency and help the city pursue future funding.
The council voted unanimously to approve the NOFA and move forward with the procurement and contracting process.
