Homeless Services Center is Awarded $264,000 in State Grants
The California Department of Housing and Community Development has awarded the Homeless Services Center (HSC) two Federal Emergency Shelter Grants. One $132,000 grant was awarded for the Paul Lee Loft, a 30 day emergency shelter for 46 homeless adult men and women. A second $132,000 grant was awarded for the Day Resource Center, a program that meets the basic emergency needs of homeless individuals, such as meals and showers, and helps people transition out of homelessness through programs such as an Empowerment Center computer lab and support meetings. The total amount received was $264,000. This is a one year grant.
These are significant grants that come at a time of growing community need and decreased funding from other sources. HSC had applied for both grants in August 2011 at the amount received, however the award notification was delayed by over two months (as a result of state procedure changes), which led to growing concern over the ability to continue to provide the current level of services. HSC was beginning to plan a scale back of meals and services, due to lack of funding. Although HSC applied for two grants, they were hopeful that they would receive at least one of the two. Receiving both grants is a reason to celebrate.
Monica Martinez, Executive Director, stated: “We had been hoping for the best, yet planning for the worst, so this award is a huge relief and will allow us to kick off a strong and healthy 2012.”
She also said, “For the last 18 months, we have been working hard to streamline our services to focus on smart, cost-effective solutions that move people out of homelessness. However, it is challenging to develop new strategies when you are just trying to keep the doors open. It wouldn’t be reasonable to develop new, innovative programs at the expense of basic needs such as meals and showers- these two approaches need to go hand in hand. This funding security gives us an opportunity to focus less on surviving day-to-day and focus more on long-term solutions.”
The Salvation Army in Watsonville also received a $132,000 grant for operations of their 70 bed shelter.
