The Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council approved more than $113 million this week in the first wave of block grants available under the new Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP). The money is part of a $500 million 2018-19 state budget program championed by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) and the Big 11 Mayors, in negotiation with the Governor, to help local governments address California’s homeless crisis.
“This is welcome news. I’ve been a strong advocate of state and local partnerships when it comes to solving our biggest problems. This is the first of many steps in getting people off the streets and into housing,” said Ting, Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee.
Grant Recipients:
Oakland $ 8.67 million
San Diego $ 14.1 million
Los Angeles $ 85 million
Long Beach $ 2.8 million
Bakersfield/Kern
Continuum Of Care (CoC) $ 2.6 million
In 2017, California’s homeless population was more than 134,000. The council, which is under the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, began taking applications for the HEAP block grant on September 5. Cities and Continuums of Care (CoC) county partners are eligible. Once approved, the money can be spent on services, such as:
- Emergency housing vouchers
- Rapid rehousing
- Emergency shelter construction
- Temporary shelters in armories
Grant applications are accepted through December 31, 2018. For more information, please visit: https://www.bcsh.ca.gov/hcfc/aid_program.html.
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