The Palm Springs City Council has approved an increase in funding for a consultant firm to help the City tackle the issues of housing, homelessness and policy development moving forward.
On April 8, Council approved the agreement to increase funding to LeSar Development Consultants in an effort to pay for the increase in work needed with new affordable housing projects, homeless services and the development of the Navigation Center on McCarthy Road.
“Our firm possesses the entire combination of skills and experience to successfully ensure a comprehensive approach to affordable housing and homeless services within the City of Palm Springs,” Jennifer LeSar, president and CEO of LeSar Development Consultants, said in a letter to Leigh Gileno, the City’s procurement specialist. “That is our distinct advantage as a firm and precisely why we succeed,”
Council approved the $115,000 increase to LaSar, bringing the total to $255,000 per year. Total cost of the four-year contract now totals $875,000.
“With our staff of strategic advisors, LDC specializes in working with diverse stakeholders to address comp!ex publlc policy and planning issues, such as developing and Implementing Innovative housing programs, homelessness crisis response and planning, and helping clients address locally specific issues related to community development,” LeSar said in the letter.
Less than a year ago, Palm Springs Council approved the original four-year, $110,000-per-year contract with the company but saw it necessary to increase the funding by 132%.
“Our seasoned team brings the perspective and experience to help Palm Springs address its housing affordability and homelessness needs through an approach that is centered in equity and ensures high-functioning, accountable and impactful oversight of activities,” LeSar said in the letter. “We are confident in our capability to exceed the requirements of the scope of work, to foster positive communication and to effectively address the changing needs of the community.”
LDC will be responsible for preparing a preliminary design, coming up with a cost estimate and creating programming and operations plans and budgets.
The consulting firm previously did work with Affordable Housing Project Financing Closings, Palm Springs Access Center Operations, Homeless Services Coordination, Homeless Services Gap Analysis and the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HAAP) Grant Program.
The current contract is valid through 2025.
