The Ventura County Board of Supervisors agreed on qualifications for applying for county money for projects to aid homeless people in the County, at their Tuesday, 6-15 meeting.
In April, according to an article in the 6-16 VC Star, the BOS authorized $3.1 million for an effort the end homelessness, with $2 million to provide matching funds to develop all-year shelters. In a letter to the BOS , dated June 15th, from the County Executive, Marty Robinson, it says the money for shelter is “for bricks and mortar only,” and not for operations. Now the rules are in place for applicants to apply for these “bricks and mortar” funds.
Another $500,000 is to be used for the County Housing Trust Fund, to help start affordable housing, and the last $600,000 is for a 3-year detox pilot program, with criteria that must be met.
In these hard economic times, it is good to see our county stepping up. To read the VC Star aritcle by Kathleen Wilson, that appeared in print on 6-16, go to: http://m.vcstar.com/news/2010/jun/15/county-approves-rules-for-groups-to-get-funds/
Posted by Janna Orkney
Mark Mountain // Jun 20, 2010 at 2:19 PM
First let me state that I am all for helping the homeless that need and want assistance. Many of the homeless are veterans (as am I) and need more than to be fed and a place to sleep, to be integrated back in to being a contributing member of society. The problem with the county increasing benefits to the homeless on just a county-wide basis is, I think it will make Ventura county more attractive to the homeless in adjacent counties. And, because there is nothing like property ownership or a job holding the homeless to a specific area, it will likely lead to an influx of homeless into the county. This, of course, would mean a greater need locally requiring a need for additional funding. This is an issue that needs to be addressed on a federal basis, not just a county or state level.