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Council reviews nonprofit contracts and county grant backing for local food distributions and homelessness prevention

San Fernando City Council · November 17, 2025

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Summary

Council questioned expenditures to local nonprofit partners providing food distributions and homelessness prevention; staff reported $5,000 in city reimbursements for initial distributions, county funds of $50,000 now available to support expanded distribution, and service counts showing 1,458 San Fernando residents served.

Council members probed the scope and results of city contracts with nonprofits providing food distributions and homelessness prevention services.

Funding and counts: Staff said the city spent $5,000 for the initial month of distributions under an initial contract and approved a second contract with Ignite the Light of Hope Foundation for up to $5,000 in reimbursable funds; Ignite submitted no reimbursement request and the city’s recorded expenditure remains $5,000 for the fiscal year. County funding of $50,000 was later awarded to Ignite, staff said, and that money will be used regionally including activity within San Fernando.

Service outcomes: Staff reported that food distributions reached 3,568 individuals, of whom 1,458 were San Fernando residents (about 40%). The 'Bag of Hope' home‑delivery program made 382 deliveries, 106 of which went to San Fernando addresses (~28%). Albert Hernandez of HomeLink LA told the council his organization used city funds to secure motel vouchers for 25 unhoused families and worked to place all 25 into permanent housing; HomeLink also provided security deposit assistance and short‑term rental aid for additional households.

Contracts and next steps: Staff noted an amendment before council would extend an agreement for 12 months to further service continuity and that county funds are intended to supplement programming in the Northeast Valley beyond San Fernando. Council approved consent items including the contracts on roll call and directed staff to continue oversight and transparent accounting of how funds are used.