DATE: September 15, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Development Services
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution (1) Allocating $500,000 in HOME Investment Partnership Program Funds, (2) Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement to Renew the Housing Grant Subsidy Agreement with Abode Services for Project Independence to Provide Tenant Based Rental Assistance to Emancipated and Former Foster Care Youth in a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $500,000, and (3) Authorizing Associated Budget Actions
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the City Council adopts a Resolution (Attachment II) (1) allocating $500,000 in HOME Investment Partnership Program Funds, (2) authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement to renew the housing grant subsidy agreement with Abode Services for Project Independence to provide tenant based rental assistance to emancipated and former foster care Youth in an amount not-to-exceed $500,000, and (3) authorizing associated budget actions.
SUMMARY
The Project Independence Program, managed by Abode Services, provides rental assistance to emancipated and former foster care youth and has been supported by the City of Hayward since 2008. Project Independence has been successful at providing positive outcomes for participants who are otherwise at high risk for housing instability and homelessness.
The recommended resolution authorizes the City Manager to negotiate and execute a rental housing subsidy agreement with Abode Services in an amount not-to-exceed $500,000 of HOME funds. The Project Independence Program receives funding from multiple sources. The City of Hayward’s allocation of HOME funds is used for the direct benefit of program participants through a rent payment subsidy. In addition to the City of Hayward, the program also receives funding from the Alameda County Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP+), which pays for case management, staffing, and other operating costs for the Program. The Program is consistent with priorities set in the Consolidated Plan of the Alameda County HOME Consortium, the Hayward Housing Element, and the City’s Strategic Plan Priority to Preserve, Protect, and Produce Housing for All. In addition, the resolution authorizes the City Manager to increase revenue and appropriations in order to receive and expend these funds.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I Staff Report
Attachment II Resolution