Gov. Newsom Announces $38 Million in Grants to Combat Homelessnes

SACRAMENTO — Taking action to support teens and young adults experiencing homelessness, Governor Gavin Newsom Feb. 11, announced $38 million in new grants for community-based organizations across the state through the Homeless Youth Emergency Services and Housing Program. The grants will allow local service providers to deliver temporary housing and supportive services for youth experiencing homelessness. The provider locally is Volunteers of America Los Angeles. 

The grants are being distributed through the Office of Emergency Services or Cal OES to 12 community-based organizations from San Diego to Humboldt for local partners to provide youth experiencing homelessness with access to a range of housing options that meet their needs, as well as mental health support with crisis intervention and stabilization services.

The following organizations were awarded Homeless Youth Emergency Services and Housing Program grants:

• • Bill Wilson Center (Santa Clara County)
  • Center for Human Services (Stanislaus County)
  • Community Human Services (Monterey County)
  • Interface Children & Family Services (Ventura County)
  • Larkin Street Youth Services (San Francisco County)
  • Orangewood Foundation (Orange County)
  • Redwood Community Action Agency (Humboldt County)
  • Ruby’s Place (Alameda County)
  • San Diego Youth Services (San Diego County)

• Volunteers of America Los Angeles (Los Angeles County)

• Waking the Village (Sacramento County)
• Women’s Center – Youth & Family Services (San Joaquin County)

The funds aim to ensure safe shelter for teens and young adults experiencing short or long-term housing instability. California has the second highest rate of unsheltered youth experiencing homelessness in the nation, and the number is growing. Nearly 36% of all homeless youth in the United States are living in California without a safe place to call home. These targeted grants bolster Governor Newsom’s wider efforts to protect vulnerable Californians by combatting the root causes of homelessness and rebuilding the state’s mental and behavioral health infrastructure.