TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ADAM PIRRIE, CITY MANAGER
DATE: NOVEMBER 10, 2026
Reviewed by:
City Manager: AP
SUBJECT:
Title
UPDATE ON THE CLAREMONT TEMPORARY HOUSING STABILIZATION AND RELOCATION PROGRAM AND FEEDBACK ON POTENTIAL FUTURE STRATEGIES (FUNDING SOURCE: GENERAL FUND)
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SUMMARY
The Claremont Temporary Housing Stabilization and Relocation Program (Program) currently provides monthly rental assistance to 191 households, including many seniors, individuals with disabilities, and residents with extremely low incomes.
On October 13, 2026, the City Council appropriated an additional $360,000 to continue providing assistance to existing Program participants through June 30, 2027. This extension provides time for the City and participating households to plan for the conclusion of the current funding period and evaluate longer-term housing stability strategies.
With technical assistance funded by the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA), HR&A Advisors have assessed the Program, analyzed participant needs, evaluated available regional resources, and researched approaches to promoting housing stability. Its preliminary recommendations outline a two-phased framework: individualized transition support during the current funding period, followed by consideration of a one-year, more targeted rental assistance pilot beginning in July 2027.
This report presents HR&A Advisors’ initial findings and proposed framework for City Council discussion. Staff is not requesting approval of a new program, eligibility criteria, or additional funding at this meeting. Following City Council feedback, staff and HR&A Advisors will further develop implementation options, costs, and funding strategies for future consideration.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council:
A. Receive and file an update on the Claremont Temporary Housing Stabilization and Relocation Program, including HR&A Advisors’ findings and preliminary recommendations; and
B. Provide feedback on potential approaches to supporting participating households and promoting housing stability beyond June 30, 2027.
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Take no action, in which case the Claremont Temporary Housing Stabilization and Relocation Program will sunset on June 30, 2027.
B. Direct staff to take other action regarding the Claremont Temporary Housing Stabilization and Relocation Program.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
At its October 13, 2026 meeting, the City Council approved an additional $360,000 in funding to continue the Claremont Temporary Housing Stabilization and Relocation Program through June 30, 2027. The appropriation included $140,000 from the Successor Housing Fund and $220,000 from the Inclusionary Housing Fund. Accordingly, no additional appropriation for monthly rental assistance is requested as part of this report.
HR&A Advisors’ preliminary recommendations include case management during the transition period, potential one-time emergency assistance, and consideration of a one-year targeted rental assistance pilot beginning July 2027. The scope, costs, funding sources, and administrative requirements of these strategies have not yet been established.
After receiving direction from the City Council, staff will return with detailed cost estimates, potential funding sources, and implementation recommendations for consideration before requesting authorization for any additional expenditures.
The staff cost to prepare this report and administer this contract is estimated at $3,000, and is included in the operating budget of the Administrative Services Department.
ANALYSIS
Background
The Claremont Temporary Housing Stabilization and Relocation Program was established to provide temporary financial assistance to eligible renters experiencing housing instability. Under the existing Program, eligible households receive monthly rental assistance based on their income classification, as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
• Low-income households receive assistance equivalent to 10 percent of their base rent.
• Very low-income households receive assistance equivalent to 15 percent of their base rent.
• Extremely low-income households receive assistance equivalent to 20 percent of their base rent.
Payments are issued directly to participating property managers or housing providers and applied toward each household's monthly rent.
At its January 31, 2026, Priorities Workshop, the City Council provided direction to discontinue accepting new applications while staff evaluated potential funding and program options. Subsequently, on April 14, 2026, the City Council approved additional funding to continue assistance to existing participants through December 31, 2026.
HR&A Advisors
In June 2026, City staff met with representatives of LACAHSA and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) to discuss support for households beyond the existing Program. Following that discussion, LACAHSA committed approximately $150,000 in technical assistance funding to retain HR&A Advisors to help develop a longer-term renter support strategy for Claremont.
These technical assistance funds cannot be used for direct rental subsidies. The agreement for these services is between LACAHSA and HR&A Advisors; the City is not a party. The City separately entered into a data-sharing agreement with HR&A Advisors to facilitate analysis of current Program participants. HR&A Advisors is coordinating with the City and regional partners, including LACAHSA and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), to identify other assistance for which participants may be eligible.
Most recently, on October 13, 2026, the City Council approved funding to continue assistance to existing participants through June 30, 2027. The extension allows additional time to explore a structured transition and potential future Program models; it does not constitute approval of a successor program.
Current Program Structure
The Program currently serves 191 households, many of whom are older adults or have extremely low incomes. HR&A Advisors’ preliminary analysis identifies the following participant characteristics:
|
Current number of participating households |
191 households |
|
Average monthly rental subsidy |
~ $288 |
|
Participants age 62 and older |
Approximately 63% of program participants (or 120 households) |
|
Households at or below 30% of Area Median Income |
Approximately 72% of program participants (or 138 households) |
|
Households that would be rent-burdened without assistance |
Approximately 90% of program participants (or 172 households) |
These findings illustrate the significant financial vulnerability of participating households. Many participants have limited opportunities to increase their income, particularly seniors and individuals who rely on fixed incomes.
Case Management
HR&A Advisors has examined opportunities to connect participants with resources that could improve financial stability and reduce their need for ongoing City assistance. Based on information voluntarily provided in Program applications, HR&A estimates that approximately 60 percent of households may qualify for public benefits they are not currently receiving. These may include Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medicare, Medi-Cal, General Relief, unemployment benefits, and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). Participant eligibility for these assistance programs would need to be verified individually.
Benefits enrollment may help participating households meet essential expenses, but applications and eligibility rules can be difficult to navigate. The City currently partners with Spring Street Center for senior case management; however, the Program also serves non-seniors, and Spring Street Center supports other clients in the community.
HR&A Advisors therefore recommends exploring dedicated case management and benefits navigation. Case managers could help participants assess eligibility, submit applications, develop individualized housing stability plans, and identify appropriate services. Regional rental assistance options remain constrained by limited capacity and waiting lists and cannot be assumed to replace City assistance for every household. Five case managers providing problem solving support could cost $167,500 for three months of support or $335,000 for six months of support. Case managers can also leverage a benefits navigation tool to provide streamlined support to participants at a cost of $1,500 per license, or $7,500 for licenses for five case managers. These initial costs are meant to offer an order of magnitude estimate and are not the final program cost. Staff and HR&A Advisors will return with a finalized program cost based on the City Council’s feedback.
Recommended Approach to Program Transition
HR&A Advisors recommends transitioning the City's existing Program toward a more targeted, time-limited approach that incorporates individualized case management and other resources to promote longer-term housing stability. The proposed framework consists of two phases:
Phase 1 - Transition Period: November 2026 through June 2027
During the first phase, HR&A Advisors proposes helping existing participants plan for the end of the current subsidy period and identifying households that may be able to maintain housing stability with other support. Its preliminary model contemplates up to six months of case management for participating households, potentially requiring up to 10 case managers. Staffing levels, administration, and funding have not yet been determined.
Potential services include individualized housing plans, benefits enrollment, financial literacy, employment-related assistance when appropriate, and connections to alternative housing resources. The approach would focus particularly on households with existing Section 8 vouchers, potential unclaimed benefits, or needs that might be resolved through limited one-time assistance.
HR&A Advisors estimates that at least 112 households may qualify for additional public benefits. Its analysis also identifies 17 households receiving Section 8 vouchers who may be able to request adjustments and 10 additional households that may be able to transition without becoming rent-burdened. These are preliminary screening estimates, not confirmed outcomes. The objective would be to identify realistic pathways to housing stability and distinguish households requiring longer-term support.
Phase 2 - One-Year Targeted Pilot Program: July 2027 through June 2028
The second phase is a potential one-year pilot for households with the greatest ongoing needs. Under HR&A Advisors’ preliminary concept, eligible households could receive time-limited assistance at a reduced subsidy amount together with case management and an individualized housing plan. The City Council has not approved or funded this pilot. The proposed model would focus limited resources on households with substantial rent burdens and few viable alternatives for increasing income or obtaining other support.
HR&A Advisors has identified potential prioritization criteria that would focus on:
• Extremely low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities who rely on fixed incomes.
• Very low-income households with fixed incomes and severe rent burdens.
• Extremely low-income households with children or transition-aged youth.
• Other extremely low-income households with demonstrated ongoing housing needs.
HR&A Advisors estimates that approximately 141 current households could qualify under the preliminary criteria. This estimate requires validation and does not establish eligibility, enrollment, or a City funding commitment. Further work is needed to define eligibility, subsidy levels, participant requirements, administration, costs, and potential funding sources. Staff is presenting this concept for discussion only and will return with more developed options before seeking any authorization to establish a pilot program.
Emergency Rental Assistance
HR&A Advisors also recommends exploring one-time emergency rental assistance for households facing an imminent risk of housing loss due to a temporary, potentially resolvable hardship, such as job loss, medical expenses, or interrupted benefits. This type of assistance was previously available under the Program before new applications closed on January 31, 2026. Reintroducing it would require further City Council direction to reopen applications for this purpose, along with defined eligibility criteria, administrative procedures, and available funding. Staff and HR&A Advisors will evaluate these considerations as part of their ongoing work.
Next Steps
Over the coming months, staff and HR&A Advisors will refine the preliminary framework, informed by City Council feedback and with an emphasis on participant stability, fiscal sustainability, and practical administration. Areas for further evaluation include:
• Modeling the anticipated costs of case management, transitional assistance, and the proposed one-year pilot program.
• Evaluating potential reduced subsidy amounts and eligibility requirements.
• Developing individualized transition strategies for existing Program participants.
• Identifying appropriate agencies or organizations to administer case management and other services.
• Evaluating the feasibility of one-time emergency rental assistance.
• Developing longer-term recommendations to address the needs of vulnerable renters in Claremont.
Staff anticipates returning to the City Council with more detailed options, implementation considerations, and associated costs before the current Program funding period ends on June 30, 2027.
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Staff has evaluated the agenda item in relationship to the City’s strategic and visioning documents and finds that it applies to the following City Planning Documents: Council Priorities, Sustainable City Plan, 2026-28 Budget, and the Youth and Family Master Plan.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Adam Pirrie Katie Wand
City Manager Acting Assistant City Manager
Attachment:
Presentation - Recommendations from HR&A