Council reviewed staff follow-up from a city request for proposals targeting expansion of shelter and related services for people experiencing homelessness. Staff asked whether the council would consider allocating up to $500,000 in one-time housing funds; after follow-up interviews staff narrowed a recommendation and presented a proposed allocation totaling $363,008.47 to support three providers.

The staff-recommended distribution (RFP follow-up) is: Hilltop — $250,000 (stabilize recent expansion and support emergency/transitional shelter for young adults and other high-need groups, plus wraparound services and a proposed bridge-shelter model); Joseph Center — $100,000 (operations to address overflow and case management); Grand Valley Catholic Outreach — $13,847 (with $75,000 expected from CDBG reimbursements). The numbers add to $363,008.47. Staff explained historical city funding for shelter operations and resource centers and noted some providers have requested larger sums than staff recommended after follow-up.

Why it matters: council members flagged rapid operational changes at Homeward Bound (operational model, navigation center closure discussions and cash-flow pressures). Staff said Homeward Bound had earlier asked for $531,000 (broken into $225,000 for North Avenue operations and $306,000 for a navigation center) but more recently said they would not continue the navigation center in 2026 and proposed consolidating operations at North Avenue. Council members also raised the practical concern that if the navigation center closes, other providers (notably Joseph Center) will need additional capacity to handle overflow during winter months.

Council direction and follow-up requests:
- Council gave direction to proceed with staff’s recommended RFP allocations (total $363,008.47) for Hilltop, Joseph Center and Grand Valley Catholic Outreach. Several members voiced support for the staff recommendation.
- Council asked staff to invite Homeward Bound to present updated operational and financial information at the next budget workshop in early November, including cash-flow, average lengths of stay, staffing and whether Homeward Bound has asked other funders (county or municipalities) for support. Council also asked staff to invite the Counseling Education Center to that same session to answer earlier questions about its funding gap.
- Council asked staff to explore whether short-term reallocation of funds associated with a potential navigation center closure could help sustain North Avenue shelter operations through winter months; staff noted existing reimbursement structures and 30‑day notice requirements in the current agreements.

Discussion highlights:
- Council Member Scott urged that Joseph Center — which provides case management and health services — could require full funding given likely overflow if the navigation center closes.
- Council Member Laurel asked staff to provide the math and days-of-operations analysis that would quantify how temporarily closing the navigation center (for example closing some weekend operations) could preserve funds and maintain shelter capacity through winter.
- Staff said Homeward Bound was on a month-to-month operational agreement for the navigation center and the city has reimbursed partners by usage; staff recommended convening regional partners (county, other municipalities) before committing larger recurring funding.

Ending: Council directed staff to move forward with the recommended RFP allocations totaling $363,008.47, to invite Homeward Bound and the Counseling Education Center to the November workshop with specific data requests, and to return with more detail if council wants to consider reallocating navigation-center funds for winter operations.