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Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of New Orleans and The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority for Supporting Unhoused Individuals and Enhancing Transit Safety
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DESCRIPTION: Authorization to execute a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority for supporting Unhoused Individuals and Enhancing Transit Safety |
AGENDA NO: Click or tap here to enter text. |
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ACTION REQUEST: ☒ Approval ☐ Review Comment ☐ Information Only ☐ Other |
RECOMMENDATION:
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Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute a one-year Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of New Orleans and the Regional Transit Authority for a collaborative partnership aimed at addressing homelessness within the RTA’s transit system, promoting outreach, safety, and access to housing and support services for unhoused individuals.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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The RTA and the City of New Orleans are committed to enhancing the safety and accessibility of the transit system while ensuring that unhoused individuals have access to supportive services. The Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services and Strategies (OHSS) leads the City’s outreach and housing response and will provide direct outreach and service connections under this Agreement.
The proposed Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) establishes a partnership in which RTA supports OHSS’s outreach efforts by contributing transit resources in a structured, accountable manner. RTA does not provide direct outreach services but instead focuses on facilitating outreach through notification, data sharing, property access, and provision of in-kind resources. This includes coordination through designated liaisons, ensuring safe outreach conditions, and participating in data-driven planning to improve response and service outcomes.
This partnership is designed to ensure that unhoused individuals encountered within the transit system are connected to appropriate City-led services in a coordinated, compassionate, and lawful manner. RTA and OHSS will conduct quarterly joint reviews of outreach activity and service engagement, and all emergency transportation support will be provided only within RTA’s operational capacity and in accordance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) charter service exemptions.
This CEA reflects a compassionate and collaborative approach to supporting unhoused individuals in the transit environment while protecting the integrity and safety of the system for all riders.
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DISCUSSION:
The CEA terms have been reviewed and agreed upon by the RTA’s Chief Legal Officer and the City Attorney’s Office. The principal components of the agreement are as follows:
• RTA will provide OHSS with up to 3,000 single-ride transit passes annually, valued at $1.25 each (an in-kind contribution of up to $3,750 per year). Unused passes may roll over into the following year’s allotment, and OHSS may request additional passes if the annual allocation is fully used.
• OHSS will use these passes exclusively to transport unhoused individuals to shelters, clinics, cooling/warming centers, or other essential services. Outreach staff will access the transit system using RTA-issued identification badges and will comply with RTA rules and Code of Conduct while conducting outreach activities.
• RTA will coordinate with OHSS through its designated Emergency Management liaison, Operations Control Center, and Transit Police to support safe outreach activities on transit property.
• OHSS will provide monthly summaries to RTA documenting outreach activities conducted on the transit system, including the number of incidents referred, number of responses conducted, and general service outcomes. These summaries will also include pass utilization data to ensure accountability for the in-kind contribution.
• Both parties will participate in quarterly joint reviews of outreach activity, compliance, and program performance to support continuous improvement and ensure resources are being used effectively.
• RTA and OHSS will share aggregated and anonymized data to support planning and reporting, while safeguarding personally identifiable information in accordance with applicable law.
• During declared City emergency activations, RTA may assist OHSS in relocating unhoused individuals to designated shelters, subject to operational capacity and in compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) charter service exemptions.
Standard provisions related to termination, indemnification, and insurance apply.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The RTA’s contribution under this CEA is limited to the provision of up to 3,000 single-ride transit passes annually, valued at $1.25 each, for a total in-kind contribution of up to $3,750 per year. There is no additional direct financial impact to the RTA.
NEXT STEPS:
Upon Board approval, staff will execute the CEA with the City of New Orleans. RTA will begin issuing passes to OHSS, coordinating through its Emergency Management liaison, and OHSS will begin providing monthly reports on outreach activity and pass usage. Both parties will also initiate quarterly program review meetings and implement data sharing as outlined in the agreement
ATTACHMENTS:
1. CEA with the City of New Orleans/OHSS
2. Resolution 025-016
Prepared By: Craig Toomey
Title: Senior Director, RTA Emergency Management
Reviewed By: Mike Smith
Title: Chief Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Officer
Reviewed By: Tracy Tyler
Title: Chief Legal Officer
10/31/2025
Lona Edwards Hankins Date
Chief Executive Officer