Policy and Services Committee Meeting - September 8, 2026

The City of Palo Alto's Policy and Services Committee held a special joint meeting with the Human Relations Commission on September 8, 2026, to discuss the proposed expansion of the Human Services Resource Allocation Process (HISRAP) grant program. The discussion focused on creating a streamlined, transparent funding process for nonprofits, including the addition of a new community-wide grants funding lane alongside the existing priority-of-need grants. Staff presented evaluation criteria, funding history, and community needs survey results to inform the conversation. The committee considered funding levels, with staff recommending $305,000 annually for the expansion, while some members advocated for maintaining the prior year's funding level of approximately $506,000 to better meet community needs. The governance roles of the Human Relations Commission, Policy and Services Committee, Finance Committee, and City Council were clarified. After deliberation, the committee voted to recommend to City Council the approval of the HISRAP expansion at $506,000 annually, with a directive to reevaluate funding and criteria after two years. Public speakers from local nonprofits emphasized the critical need for funding to support vulnerable populations. The meeting concluded with plans to continue refining the process and funding allocations in future budget cycles.