Costa Announces $4,213,715 to Combat Homelessness
Washington, DC – Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) announced Fresno, Kings, and Kern counties will receive a total of $4,213,715 in federal funding to combat homelessness. The grants were awarded in a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) national competition through the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance (CoC) programs.
"This critical funding will allow some of the San Joaquin Valley's best non-profit, faith-based, and governmental organizations to continue fighting the scourge of homelessness in our communities," said Costa. "I salute the worthy recipients of these grants, and I am proud that HUD saw fit to recognize the good work already being done in the Valley to combat homelessness."
The following organizations in Fresno, Kings, and Kern counties were awarded HUD grants:
- Bakersfield Homeless Center, $90,000
- Flood Bakersfield Ministries, $89,038
- County of Kern Housing Authority, $1,743,780
- KernCounty Mental Health, $74,592
- HMIS Expansion, $75,000
- Cityof Fresno Housing Authority, $645,047
- Marjaree Mason Center, $445,000
- Kings Community Action Organization, $230,418
- Kings United Way, $158,008
- Clinica Sierra Vista, $662,832
Last year, at Costa's invitation, Barbara Poppe, the Director of the Interagency Council on Homelessness toured Fresno with the Congressman and Mayor Swearengin, seeing firsthand the magnitude of the Valley's homelessness epidemic.
"Homelessness is a multifaceted and complex problem that requires an innovative and comprehensive approach. This funding will serve as an important down payment on the fight to end homelessness once and for all," Costa added.
CoC programs provide funding for a range of assistance to persons who are homeless, including transitional housing, permanent housing, and a variety of supportive services.