County of Monterey Homeless Services Awarded 2 Encampment Resolution Funding Grants for 2 Cities in the County

 

Monterey County, CA - April 18, 2024 - The County of Monterey is proud to announce that it

has been awarded two significant grants under the State of California's Encampment

Resolution Funding program, totaling over $11 million. This funding will facilitate crucial

efforts to address homelessness in the region and assist in the resolution of two major

encampments.

The grants were awarded as follows:

• Soledad: $4,726,963.50

• King City: $6,441,326.33

These grants will support comprehensive strategies aimed at transitioning individuals

experiencing homelessness into stable and secure housing.

In King City, the funding will play a pivotal role in addressing the aftermath of a recent

encampment fire. Through a coordinated approach, individuals will initially be provided

with interim housing at a local motel, and then within a year to a permanent housing

solution with comprehensive supportive services. The focus will remain on the human

aspect of the issue, emphasizing the importance of providing shelter and support to those

in need. The project also benefits from a 50% match provided by the Central California

Alliance for Health, demonstrating the power of collaborative partnerships. King City Mayor

Mike LeBarre stated, “King City is extremely grateful to the County for their leadership in

accessing these critical resources which will enable us to move forward with a

comprehensive and long-term approach to helping those most in need. We hope to

become a model for other small communities by showing we can achieve meaningful

solutions to homelessness throughout California by working together and each doing our

part.”

Meanwhile, in Soledad, the emphasis is on community outreach and collaboration. Efforts

have been directed towards establishing meaningful connections with encampment

occupants, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met. The project showcases

a successful partnership between the city and county, illustrating the effectiveness of joint

initiatives in addressing homelessness.

Supervisor Lopez, representing the district encompassing both projects, commented,

"These initiatives represent a significant step forward in resolving homelessness in our

region. By leveraging partnerships and resources, we are making tangible progress

towards ensuring every individual has access to safe and stable housing."

“Partnering on a grant isn't just about securing funding; it's about amplifying success

through shared purpose, creating ripples of positive change that resonate far beyond the

initial grant. It's finding happiness not just in the destination but in the journey we embark

on together. I am thrilled to partner with the Cities of King and Soledad, the Housing

Authority of the County of Monterey, the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers, and the

Central Coast Alliance for Health on these life-changing projects,” said Roxanne Wilson,

County Homeless Services Director.

Both projects have garnered support from various stakeholders, including the Cities of

Soledad, King City, Housing Authority of Monterey County, Coalition of Homeless Service

Providers, CalTrans, and others underscoring the importance and impact of these

initiatives. The County extends its gratitude to all partners involved for their collaborative

efforts in addressing rural homelessness.

Senator Anna M. Caballero, Senate District 14, congratulates the County and all involved.

“Congratulations to the County of Monterey for their leadership and collaboration with the

cities of Soledad and King City in submitting successful applications for Encampment

Resolution Funding to support efforts in providing safe, permanent housing for

encampment occupants in your cities. You have done the hard work, know each

encampment occupant by name and have conducted the outreach to ensure that this

transition is something that is wanted. This is an example of what can be accomplished

when cities and counties work in partnership with the state to address the overwhelming

homelessness issue to find solutions that make sense.”