Mayor Villaraigosa Announces New Funding For Housing and Homelessness Programs 

December 24, 2007

LOS ANGELES – Delivering on his pledge to reform the City’s housing agency and tackle the challenge of homelessness head-on, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined City Council President Eric Garcetti, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) Executive Director Rudy Montiel and Chief Operating Officer of the LA Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) Mike Arnold to announce extra federal funding for the Shelter Plus Care program.

“This is a watershed moment in LA’s effort to end homelessness,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “This reinstatement of federal funds is proof that when you set a goal and work with determination to address our most pressing challenges, major change and progress can occur. With this announcement, it is safe to say that HACLA has cleaned its house, restored its accountability and redeemed its reputation with the federal government.”

Under the leadership of Mayor Villaraigosa, HACLA is transforming from an agency maligned by decades of mismanagement and corruption into an organization defined by balanced budgets, an improved voucher program and effective services. LAHSA has played a critical role in building strong partnerships between City, County and non-profit agencies.

Over one year after losing federal funding for a wide range of housing and homelessness programs, federal authorities informed Mayor Villaraigosa that HACLA’s turnaround warranted a full restoration of millions of dollars for the Shelter Plus Care initiative.

This year, Los Angeles will receive over $72 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help fight homelessness across the City. Comprised of nearly $60 million in grants for ongoing programs and more than $12 million in new money for the Shelter Plus Care initiative, these grants represent a 26 percent increase in funding since last year. According to HUD, this is the largest federal funding award ever given to the City and County of Los Angeles to help the homeless.

 “During the holidays, we're all reminded of the tremendous number of people in need, but those needs don't end once the season is over,” Council President Garcetti said. “Restoring funding for the Shelter Plus Care program could not have come a moment too soon. This is a wonderful Christmas present, but more importantly, this funding will help thousands of people get back on their feet and find a brighter future.”

“Record resources to Los Angeles reflect a new level of partnership between the City and the County, and implementation of innovative initiatives that are results-oriented,” said Philip Mangano, Executive Director of the Interagency Council on Homelessness. “Mayor Villaraigosa is to be commended for extending his political will and his sense of partnership to reducing homelessness in LA.”

Immediately following the announcement, Mayor Villaraigosa joined more than 300 volunteers, staff members and celebrities to serve warm meals and distribute gifts to homeless families and children.

“There are few better ways to celebrate this holiday than to give the gifts of safety, security, shelter and a fresh start to those who need it most,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “Every hot meal and every safe bed we provide makes an enormous difference in the life of someone who calls the street home.”

Throughout the morning, approximately 3,000 homeless men, women and children receive Christmas meals. In addition, nearly 600 kids receive wrapped gifts and toys to usher in the holiday.

These services represent one day in the LA Mission’s ongoing efforts to alleviate the effects of homelessness in the City. Last year alone, the shelter served over 500,000 hot meals, gave out more than 190,000 articles of clean clothing, and provided 118,000 beds and almost 150,000 showers to the local homeless population.