SAN DIEGO–More than $4.3 million is going to local programs that help homeless individuals find shelter and deal with challenges such as mental illness, disabilities and domestic violence.
The County Department of Housing and Community Development applied for the funds from the Supportive Housing Program of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. The County identified the greatest needs in the community by working with local governments and nonprofit agencies.
The money will go to programs in the unincorporated areas and local cities, except for the City of San Diego, which applies for its own funds. This regional effort has resulted in close to $150 million in federal homeless funding in the county over the past 15 years.
This year’s award includes renewal funding for 25 existing projects throughout the County sponsored by a variety of agencies that provide services including job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care. Grants are awarded competitively to local programs that provide transitional and permanent housing services for homeless persons and families.
The County is awaiting HUD’s review of one new project sponsored by Mental Health Systems, which would use the money to help provide long-term housing and support services to homeless people in the North County who are chronically homeless and disabled. HUD is expected to award funds to new projects nationwide early this year.
A complete list of local recipients is on the following page. For more information about homeless resources, visit the Housing and Community Development web site at www.sdcounty.ca.gov/sdhcd.
