Reps. Lofgren and Honda Announce $9.9 Million in Local Housing Grants

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) and Mike Honda (D-Campbell) announced $9,989,955 in Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. These funds will go to local organizations providing a range of assistance to homeless persons and families, including transitional housing, permanent housing, and other supportive services. Local grantees are:

January 20, 2011

Bill Wilson Center $852,038

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County $1,331,497

Community Technology Alliance $393,701

Emergency Housing Consortium of Santa Clara County $415,335

Family Supportive Housing, Inc. $556,562

Housing Authority of the County of Santa Clara $3,366,996

InnVision the Way Home $1,547,185

Santa Clara Unified School District $200,534

Santa Clara Health and Hospital System--MHD $865,346

South County Housing Corporation $91,011

St. Joseph's Family Center $287,217

West Valley Community Services of Santa Clara County, Inc. $82,533

“During these difficult economic times, when the need for housing services is highest and when local governments can least afford it, these grants are essential to keeping people off the streets,” noted Rep. Zoe Lofgren. “These local agencies and groups, in many cases, are the only thing standing between many working families and a night out in the cold. I applaud them for their work and will continue to support their vital role in our community.”

“Given the unsustainable unemployment rates in Santa Clara County and California, at over 10% and 12% respectively, as well as the economic crunch facing our state, this federal funding for affordable housing comes at a critical time,” said Rep. Mike Honda. “The foreclosure crisis continues throughout Santa Clara County, where 1 in 365 households are experiencing foreclosures. That means thousands of constituents in our community now need affordable alternatives. We cannot leave them stranded with nowhere to go. These federal dollars come at a critical time, helping keep our Valley afloat, while preparing the solid foundation for successfully weathering uncertain times – all part of the process of ensuring that tax dollars are being efficiently and effectively returned to our communities in visible and meaningful ways.”

“Thank you so much for making this program happen for Santa Clara County residents,” noted Trish Crowder of Family Supportive Housing. “Because of this funding we are able to provide transitional housing for 22 families in our community. These families are homeless because they have not found suitable places to live. The program provides apartments for families, where they can stay for 12-24 months. During their stay, they pay 30% of their income for the rent and they receive many supportive services. They work with a case manager to help them set goals and they receive support to achieve those goals. At the end of the program, they will be in a financial position to take over the rents on those units and to live there independently. All of the supportive services they receive makes it a successful program for the families and they are able to return to self-sufficiency in our community. Our community and our families are greatly appreciative of HUD’s concern and resources.”

“The two HUD grants fund transitional housing services for up to 24-months to single and parenting homeless youth ages 18-24,” said Sparky Harlan of the Bill Wilson Center. “The homeless youth include young people who have aged out of foster care at age 18 and have no family to help support them. We provide housing, help with continuing their education and securing employment, and teach independent living skills. After six months in our program, 75% of our homeless youth are employed and 65% are enrolled in higher education. Without the HUD funds more homeless youth and former foster youth would end up among the chronic homeless street population. We end the cycle of homelessness for our most vulnerable youth.”

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is serving her ninth term in Congress representing most of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County. Congresswoman Lofgren is Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation consisting of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California.