Orange Coast supports funding of Homelessness Prevention and Stabilization Pilot Program

The Orange County Board of Supervisors (BOS) January 9, 2024 meeting agenda, included an item (#31)  asking the Board of Supervisors to approve funding to create and support a Homelessness Prevention and Stabilization Pilot Program:

Agenda Item 31: Supervisor Sarmiento - Approve use of $1,500,000 from Second District's discretionary American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocation and $1,500,000 from General fund allocation to create and support a Homeless Prevention and Stabilization Pilot Program; make related findings per Government Code Section 26227; and direct County Executive Officer or designee to negotiate and enter into agreements as necessary.

Following is a link to the staff report explaining the program:
http://cams.ocgov.com/Web_Publisher/Agenda01_09_2024_files/images/23J1%20-%2001-09-24_9860839.PDF

In support of the item, and in accordance with the State and OC League of Women Voters’ position on housing and homelessness, the Orange Coast Housing Advocacy Team (HAT) emailed the following to the BOS:

“The Orange Coast League of Women Voters’ Housing Advocacy Team ask you to approve use of discretionary ARPA allocation funds from the General Fund to create and support a Homelessness Prevention and Stabilization Pilot Program.”

We are very happy to report that the BOS did approve this agenda item.

In response we received the following email from Vicente Sarmiento, Supervisor, Second District:

I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for taking the time to provide a letter in support of the Homelessness Prevention and Stabilization Pilot Program. Your letter was vital in making the Homelessness Prevention and Stabilization Pilot Program possible. I cannot thank you enough for supporting me in this effort and addressing the critical impacts this program will have on our families. Your dedication, commitment, and compassion to our community lays an essential foundation for a brighter and more inclusive future. 
Once again, thank you for your support, and I look forward to continuing our partnership in the future.