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City reports contract signed with Molding Hearts for homelessness services; public asks for oversight and results
Summary
During public comment at the Dec. 10, 2024 meeting residents asked for details on a previously authorized $24,500 award to Molding Hearts. City staff said the contract was signed the same day and a check is expected to be issued this week; staff also noted Molding Hearts had already begun assisting individuals.
Residents asked the Twentynine Palms City Council on Dec. 10, 2024 for clarity about what the city had funded and what outcomes the city expects after the council previously authorized $24,500 for Molding Hearts, a homelessness services provider.
At public comment, a resident, Steve Friendly, said the council had authorized $24,500 and asked for reports on the program’s outcomes: “I’ve yet to hear anything being said about how many homeless people have been ... given an opportunity to better their lives. Is there any kind of oversight that the city council has?”
A city staff member responded that city staff had spent the prior 30 days finalizing the agreement and that the contract was signed about three hours earlier. The staff member said the check had not yet been issued but was expected to be issued this week. The staff member added that Molding Hearts (referred to in the transcript as “Miss Lakita” and “Miss Johnson”) had already been active in the community, assisting individuals sleeping in cars and working with the sheriff’s department’s HOPE team on placements.
Staff provided examples: one woman living in her car was contacted within 24 hours after staff outreach and Molding Hearts was arranging placement; two individuals who sought help at a Nov. 4 housing and homelessness committee meeting had also received assistance from Molding Hearts prior to a formal contract.
The city did not present new council action on the $24,500 at this meeting; the discussion in the transcript documents public questions about oversight and a staff explanation that the contract is executed and a payment is forthcoming. The staff response indicated ongoing coordination with the sheriff’s HOPE team and other agencies.
The public commenter sought regular updates and oversight documentation; the staff speaker said staff would follow up with additional details and that the contract execution was recent.
