Rep. Mike Thompson Announces More Than $5.5 Million For Homeless Programs In First Distric

Washington, DC – January 11, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced more than $5.5 million for homeless programs across California’s First Congressional District. The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and will ensure these housing and service programs remain operating in 2012 in an effort to reduce and end homelessness.

“These grants will help our homeless shelters keep their doors open, and will keep programs that reduce homelessness in operation,” said Thompson. “I am proud to support these funds so that folks can continue to get the help they need to get back on their feet.”  

HUD recently announced that approximately 3,000 cities and counties reported 636,000 homeless persons on a single night in January of 2011, a 2.1 percent decline from the year before.  This reduction in homelessness was noticed among all population groups including individuals, families, and those experiencing long-term or chronic homeless. In addition, HUD estimates a 12 percent reduction in homelessness among veterans.

The grants announced by HUD provide permanent and transitional housing to homeless persons as well as services including job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care. The grants are awarded competitively to local programs to meet the needs of their homeless clients.

“Community based programs to intervene on homelessness have been in high demand and very successful in Napa County,” said Randy Snowden, Director, Napa County Health & Human Services Agency. “However, there is no steady funding source for these services.  We’re very lucky to have heavy hitters like Congressman Thompson working so hard to support local homeless services. These grants make the core programs possible — you could call them the foundation for local homeless services.”

“In an economy that has produced an increased number of homeless families, many of whom would never have imagined themselves in a position without housing, HUD funding for homeless services is more necessary than ever,” said Leona Jull, Executive Director Yolo Wayfarer Center. “Yolo County received $415,000 to assist homeless individuals and families to exchange homelessness for a full and productive lifestyle. Yolo Wayfarer Center will utilize its award of $177,343 to house 40 families including 68 children and 42 single individuals in its transitional housing programs during 2012. HUD funding and coordinated efforts with other service providers including; Broderick Christian Center, Davis Community Meals and Yolo Community Care Continuum will provide the support services necessary to assist homeless families and individuals in escaping homelessness and accessing and sustaining permanent supported housing.”

“Mendocino County became the first Rural Continuum of Care in the United States in 1995,” said MaryLou Leonard, Deputy Director for Adult and Aging Services, Mendocino County Health and Services Agency. “The 2012 Continuum of Care Award marks the 17th year Mendocino County has received this HUD funding.  Mendocino County has a well established consortium of local agencies that provide a wide variety of services to assist the homeless in attaining self-sufficiency.  The HUD funds support resource centers that guide individuals and families into community services, 30 beds of transitional housing, and 134 units of permanent supportive housing.”

“The grant is an absolute, essential anchor for our MAC operations,” RCAA Director of Family Services Simone Taylor said.

“The money will help these groups and the HHHC in general to continue to provide vital services and support to homeless people in our community throughout the coming year,” said Barbara LaHaie, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) assistant director of programs and co-chair of the Humboldt Housing and Homeless Coalition (HHHC). “This funding helps us work toward no interruption in services for those in need.”

Napa County programs that received grants include:
•    Napa Supportive Housing 2011 – $164,490
•    2006 Shelter Plus Care – Renewal – $24,144
•    Supportive Housing Program – Good News – $13,715
•    HMIS Expansion 2011 – $13,500
•    HMIS 2011 – $19,950
•    Good News Too! 2011 – $53,436
•    2011 Shelter Plus Care – $60,360
•    TRAIN 2011 – $125,794

Yolo County programs that received grants include:
•    Solutions Life Skills Classes – $46,527 to Broderick Christian Center in West Sacramento
•    Supported Housing – $84,423 to Yolo Community Care Continuum
•    Transitional Housing 2011 – $177,343 to Yolo Wayfarer Center
•    Transitional Housing Program for Homeless Single Men and Women – $106,752  to Davis Community Meals

Mendocino County programs that received grants include:
•    Supportive Opportunities in Permanent Housing – $73,816
•    Sponsor-based Rental Assistance– $46,608
•    2011 Transitional Housing – $130,736
•    2011 Seamless Transition Empowerment Program (funding for homeless resource centers)  – $200,412
•    Tenant Based Rental Assistance Renewal – $1,391,700

Humboldt County programs that received grants include:
•    Crossroads Women – $109,727
•    Multiple Assistance Center – $118,074
•    Launch Pad 2 – $38,359
•    Apartments First! – $234,726
•    Humboldt County HMIS – $82,353

Sonoma County programs that received grants include:
•    Work Right Transitional Housing & Supportive Services – $75,000
•    Shelter Plus Care Renewal – Youth with Disabilities – $82,800
•    Slater @ Meadow Lane SHPR $61,134
•    Soroptimist House – $24,780
•    Stony Point Commons – $40,842
•    The Family Connection – $16,000
•    Vet House – $44,536
•    Yulupa Supportive Services – $40,000
•    Shelter Plus Care Renewal – Persons with Mental Illness – $67,176
•    Rent Right – $29,744
•    Transitional Housing for Homeless Families – $78,359
•    Rent Up – $40,624
•    Housing Options – $74,963
•    Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) – $135,329
•    Homeless Intervention Partnership – $52,500
•    Community Turning Point – $80,424
•    Caring Communities – $107,000
•    Buckelew SHP (Sonoma) – $170,040
•    Buckelew Samaritan Initiative – Sonoma – $66,659
•    Shelter Plus Care Renewal – Persons with HIV/AIDS – $723,648
•    Shelter Plus Care Renewal – Persons with Disabilities – $196,776

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.