Governor announces $199 million in grants, including $6 million for Santa Barbara County
LONG BEACH, Calif. – While touring a former encampment at MacArthur Park, Governor Newsom announced that California has awarded $199 million, including $6 million for Santa Barbara County, on Wednesday to improve the safety of state waterways.
Governor Newsom said, “We’re doubling down on our investment to ensure that thousands of individuals in communities up and down the state move out of encampments and into housing where they can get the services and help they need. It’s not enough to simply clean up encampments, my Administration will continue to work with local leaders and community members as they serve their unhoused neighbors and remove dangerous and unsightly encampments throughout California.”
Santa Barbara County detailed the following state right-of-way areas for the new funds:
- Santa Maria Riverbed between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties
- Santa Ynez Riverbed in Lompoc and Solvang
- South Santa Barbara County creeks leading to beaches at Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland, Carpinteria, and unincorporated areas
The grant also includes funding for a specialized outreach team, direct client assistance including transportation and supplies, system support, as well as interim and permanent housing.
Santa Barbara County details that the specialized outreach team is projected to serve around 250 people by linking them to necessary services such as mental health practitioners, certified substance use disorder specialists, medical coordinators, housing, and other community supports.
Interim and permanent housing projects near those areas mentioned above are under development and 100 people are expected to transition directly into those projects explains Santa Barbara County representatives.
The $199 million is the third and largest grant announcement for the Encampment Resolution Fund which is administered by the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency and the California Interagency Council on Homelessness.
“The solution to ending homelessness is housing,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez. “The state congratulates and proudly supports these 22 communities for pulling together strong local partnerships that will lead people living in encampments into stable housing with support.”
