Homeless get assist
By IRENE MANAHAN Special to the Daily Press
LOS ANGELES With the largest down-and-out population in the nation, LA County seems as fitting place as any for President Bush to start wiping out homelessness.
At $52.5 million, the county — excluding Pasadena, Long Beach and Glendale — tops the list of more than 38 regions across the state due to receive federal funding to support both new and existing programs that serve the homeless.
For their part, Santa Monica-based agencies and shelters were allocated more than $3 million for nine different local programs, from the $52.5 million awarded to the LA Continuum of Care (LACoC).
For six years, ending chronic homelessness has been one of the president’s stated national goals, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The Bush Administration has awarded grants worth more than $1.2 billion to fund new and improved homeless services, as well as housing nationwide, with more than $214 million delivered in support of California’s record number of local homeless shelters.
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) coordinates the plan-ning process and will administer the majority of the 219 projects in both Los Angeles City and County funded through the grant. In May 2006, LAHSA submitted the 3,000-page application for homeless funding.
David Howden, funding manager for LAHSA, said a vast majority of the funds are designated for renewal projects, which includes improving services and renewing homes and shelters.
Housing is broken down into two categories — permanent and transitional — that are made specifically for homeless people with mental illnesses, women, children and other groups that may require special attention.
According to Howden, Santa Monica-based shelters and agencies have plans to utilize these funds by coordinating continuum care, including service planning areas and all other projects funded from the grant.
With support of housing, the huge array of supportive services includes medical, child care, street outreach programs, access centers and employment services — all funded in an effort to cease homelessness.
In the last six years, HUD has awarded approximately $9 billion in funding to state and local communities in support of homeless housing and service needs. For 2008, President Bush is proposing a record level of funding to again house and serve homeless persons and families.
“This is crucial funding that the L.A. continuum gets,” said Howden, adding that the grants will aid in the ultimate goal — to end homelessness.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 27, 2007. Read the original PDF.