A combination of funding for new and renewed project grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will provide homeless service agencies, throughout San Bernardino County, with more than $6.9 million to provide transitional, permanent housing and rapid re-housing to countless numbers of homeless individuals and families who might otherwise be living on the streets.
On January 26, 2015, HUD announced the award of over $1.8 billion in grants to help nearly 8,400 local homeless housing and service programs across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Continuum of Care (CoC) grants support the Administration’s efforts to end homelessness by providing critically needed housing and support services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness across the country.
“This type of funding is what San Bernardino County needs. Turning a blind eye to homelessness hurts our communities and can be up to five times more costly than providing permanent supportive housing programs like those funded through this $6.9 million grant,” Supervisor Josie Gonzales, Chair of the Interagency Council on Homelessness, said.
HUD’s decision to fund these new programs will bring over $6.9 million directly to all 24 cities and unincorporated areas within San Bernardino County to fund two new rapid re-housing projects, 18 existing projects, and a local planning grant. Agencies implementing these projects include Central City Lutheran Mission, San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, Foothill Family Shelter, Frazee Community Center, Global One Development, House of Prayer-Gospel Outreach Ministries Inc., Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino, Inland Temporary Homes, Inland Valley Hope Partners, Knowledge Education and Your Success (KEYs), Life Community Development, New Hope Village, Salvation Army-San Bernardino, Time For Change Foundation, and U.S. Vets-United States Veterans Initiative. In addition to housing services, CoC grants fund a wide range of activities including, street outreach, assessments, mental health counseling, employment counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care.
“The need in our county is great. We know it and the federal government knows it,” Chairman James Ramos said. “I am proud HUD shares our vision of ending homelessness in San Bernardino County and has awarded us funds that will help provide housing to many of our homeless residents. Together we can bring hope to those who are lost and help them find a place in this great county to call home.”
If you would like more information regarding Homeless Services offered in San Bernardino County please contact the Office of Homeless Services at (909) 386-8297 and/or visit our website at www.sbcounty.gov/SBCHP.