That the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year lease with VCC: The Gary Center in the amount of $1, with the option for one additional one-year extension for the use of the City-owned property at 341 South Hillcrest Street.

In 2015 a local non-profit, the Gary Center, merged with the Vista Community Clinic (VCC), a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Rebranded as VCC: The Gary Center, their services expanded to include general health, dental, and behavioral health services, operating from a new building at 201 South Harbor Boulevard.  The Gary Center's original location at a City-owned property at 341 South Hillcrest Street continued to offer insurance services, food distribution, and health and wellness education.

On November 4, 2020, VCC: The Gary Center terminated the City's lease agreement and vacated the building at 341 South Hillcrest Street so that another City program could move into the location.  Unfortunately, the program never transitioned to the site due to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and new grant restrictions. This has now provided an opportunity for VCC: The Gary Center to return to their Hillcrest Health and Wellness Center concept. The proposed idea is to serve as a centralized one-stop for referrals and resources for individuals, families, and organizations at the 341 South Hillcrest Street location.

Staff from the VCC: The Gary Center and the city's Community Services Department, as well as partners at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and the La Habra Collaborative, have committed to work collaboratively to ensure a safe, sustainable, and efficient model for community outreach. If approved by City Council, the Hillcrest Street location will have office and community meeting space for several local service organizations including VCC: The Gary Center, La Habra Collaborative, La Habra Meals on Wheels and Homeless Outreach, and volunteers from the faith-based community. Other important services that will be made available from the Hillcrest location include job development and employment, homeless intervention, food distribution, clothing, health and wellness, financial literacy, school readiness, parenting classes, and English as a Second Language programs.  Staff believe this centralized program will be a significant benefit to La Habra residents, and in alignment with the City's commitment to improving the health and well-being of disadvantaged individuals and families.