The county of Los Angeles made a significant announcement on Friday, revealing that a new state grant of $60 million would be allocated to fund housing projects and expand services for over half of the unhoused population in Skid Row over the next three years. This grant, known as the Encampment Resolution Fund, is part of the California Interagency Council on Homelessness and will augment and kickstart various elements of the county’s $280 million Skid Row Action Plan. This ambitious initiative aims to transform Skid Row into a safe and healthy community.
In addition to the state grant, the county will contribute $125 million to the action plan, while the city of Los Angeles will add $40 million. Local public housing authorities will leverage approximately $55 million in vouchers, and the Los Angeles Housing Services Authority will contribute an additional $60 million towards the cause.
County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who represents the district encompassing Skid Row, expressed her enthusiasm, stating that this is the first step towards implementing the Skid Row Action Plan. She believes that Skid Row residents, in the heart of the overdose crisis, deserve the dignity of housing and access to the care they need.
The Skid Row Action Plan was developed by DHS Housing for Health in 2022 and focuses on providing more interim and permanent housing, behavioral health services, substance use treatment, and other essential amenities. Skid Row, a small four-square-mile area, is currently home to 4,400 people experiencing homelessness, with 2,695 of them unsheltered. This concentration makes it the most densely populated region of homelessness in the county.
Under the plan, the county and its partners will establish numerous new interim housing beds in hotels, motels, and other locations in and near Skid Row. Around 350 of these beds will offer enriched services for those with the most complex and behavioral health needs. Over the course of three years, the interim housing beds are projected to serve approximately 2,500 people, while an estimated 2,000 individuals will be placed into permanent housing. Outreach efforts are also expected to assist around 3,000 people.
Mayor Karen Bass expressed her gratitude, emphasizing that the real, tangible results of collaboration at every level of government are evident once again. She believes that the county has been an invaluable partner in implementing initiatives like Inside Safe and taking further steps to bring Angelenos off the streets and into safer environments.
County officials acknowledge the dire needs of the homeless population in Skid Row, with approximately 1,900 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Among them, 36% report serious mental illness, 33% struggle with substance use disorder, 35% have physical disabilities, and 13% have developmental disabilities. Additionally, 38% of individuals report having experienced domestic violence or intimate partner violence.
Fesia Davenport, CEO of L.A. County, welcomed the ERF grant news, stressing its importance in expanding programs and supportive services to alleviate the suffering in Skid Row. The county will utilize its expedited authority under the local emergency to effectively utilize the funds and address the urgent needs of the community.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
