Manteca leaders renewed emergency shelter operations and security contracts for a combined $1.6 million for the fiscal year starting July 1.
The action came at last week’s council meeting during which the City Council accepted three federal grants for a combined $650,000 to help offset shelter costs at 555 Industrial Park Drive and outreach efforts.
Staff also pursues other state and federal grant opportunities in a bid to cover the costs without dipping extensively into the city’s general fund used to pay for day-to-day municipal services such as police, fire, streets upkeep, and parks.
The agreement extension with His Way Refuge Center to provide operational services from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, was for a total amount not-to-exceed $966,314.82.
The new agreement will allow the services currently offered at the emergency shelter and resource center to continue. The services include resources during the day, available to both the unsheltered community and to those on the verge of being unsheltered.
Among the services are overnight shelter, meals and food distribution, clothing, restroom and showers, clothing, haircuts, transportation, case management, assist in coordinating services with San Joaquin County Behavioral Health Services and Veterans Medical Mobile Unit, pet kennels and food, HMIS intake and service tracking, mail services, services referrals, and street outreach.
The center operates 24/7 with three dorms providing shelter for up to 50 men and 25 women.
The city is now working on remodeling the 55,000-square-foot Qualex building at 555 Industrial Park Drive for use as a permanent homeless navigation center. It is being funded with a $16 million grant the city obtained from the school.
The council also approved a professional services agreement with Shield Protection Group, Inc. in an amount not-to-exceed $659,176.32 for security guard services.
The contract is for a year starting July 1 and pays for 24/7 coverage.
The use of a professional security team has significantly reduced Manteca Police calls to the homeless center especially on overnight shifts when police staffing is less muscular.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
