Gardena adopts Home ARP grant, plans Housing Plus Support Program to expand homelessness aid

The Gardena City Council on March 24 adopted a resolution authorizing the acceptance of Home American Rescue Plan (Home ARP) funds and the execution of a standard agreement with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to operate a Housing Plus Support Program.

City staff said the city expects to receive $1,040,280 through HCD (the resolution lists a not-to-exceed amount of $3 million in case allocations change) and that the funds must be expended by March 31, 2030. The HPSP will fund outreach, housing navigation, intensive case management, rental assistance and landlord-tenant liaison activities; staff also said the award will fund the eligible personal cost of one additional homeless coordinator.

Human Services staff described the grant as broader than traditional homelessness-only funding. "It's not just homelessness; it's helping people who may be at risk of becoming homeless or who are having trouble maintaining housing — rental assistance, deposits, utility support and case management," a Human Services staff member (identified in the record as Iki) said.

Councilmembers asked how outreach will reach people not on social media and whether the program will coordinate with existing providers. Staff said outreach will use existing contact lists, partnerships with community agencies and social media and noted word-of-mouth and referrals have drawn clients beyond Gardena in prior programs. Staff also said program eligibility and prior grants’ stricter requirements had limited reach, and that this funding will allow the city to assist more residents.

Councilmember Tanaka moved to adopt Resolution No. 6732; Councilmember Francis seconded and the motion passed 5–0.