Press Release, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 3, 2011

COUNTY AWARDED $2.9 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR HOMELESS SERVICES

HUD GRANT WILL DIRECTLY ASSIST THE COUNTY’S POPULATION OF HOMELESS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS

CONTACT: Karen Roper (714) 480-2805

(Santa Ana, CA) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $2,972,944 in new project funding to the County of Orange in homeless assistance funding under the Continuum of Care programs grant competition.

The annual grant competition and the grant award to the County of Orange, with OC Community Services as the lead agency, is a direct result of the County’s partnership with cities and homeless service organizations to address the issue of homelessness in Orange County.

This collaborative effort is part of a regional plan aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness.

This grant funding will help 4 new programs in the County to begin to offer critically needed permanent and supportive housing and services to homeless persons and families.

“Orange County is being recognized by the Federal government for our regional approach to help move families and individuals out of homelessness and into self-sufficiency,” stated Karen Roper, Director of OC Community Services. “In this present time of budgetary constraints, the $2.9 million will provide affordable housing opportunities for our residents most in need.”

OC Community Services, OC Partnership, and the Continuum of Care Leadership Cabinet coordinated the 2010 Continuum of Care application process. The $2.9 million grant award will provide permanent supportive housing for the disabled and special needs homeless populations.

Since 1996 the County of Orange has received $139,452,151 in funding from HUD through the Continuum of Care grant competition including $12,264,352 which was awarded in January for renewal projects. HUD allocates the funding directly to organizations successful in this national grant competition.

Accordingly, grant awards will go directly from HUD to the following recipients:

• American Family Housing $935,491 for 10 beds, for permanent supportive housing, supportive services for chronically homeless/disabled individuals and veterans
• Jamboree Housing $400,000 for 10 units, for permanent supportive housing, supportive services for disabled homeless individuals and families.
• Mercy House $589,493 for 52 beds, for permanent supportive housing, supportive services for disabled homeless individuals and families.
• Orange County Housing Authority/ $1,047,960 for 12 Housing Certificates for homeless disabled persons and Mercy House their families

OC Community Services houses the County’s Homeless Prevention Division. OC Community Services also administers funds for participating cities and community-based organizations for homeless services and coordinates regional initiatives to address homelessness in Orange County.

Currently, the County of Orange is collaborating with community stakeholders on the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness. For more information about the County’s efforts to address homelessness, please contact Kelly Lupro, Homeless Coordinator, at (714) 480-2744.

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