OXNARD : 5 Charities Get Aid to Help Homeless
The Oxnard City Council voted Tuesday to allocate $32,000 in federal grant money to five local charities that provide shelter and assistance to the homeless.
The grant, which came from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is down from $47,000 last year.
Oxnard Housing Director Sal Gonzalez said that while he was disappointed that the grant had decreased, the money went far to help the roughly 400 homeless men and women in Oxnard.
“The city is fortunate to be one of those receiving the grant money,” Gonzalez said. “And there has been discussion about increasing the funding next year.”
“We’re very grateful to the city of Oxnard,” said Ellen McIntyre, a director at the Rainbow Recovery Centers. The nonprofit organization, which provides long-term treatment for chemically dependent women, received $3,000. McIntyre said 75% of the women are homeless.
Other programs receiving aid are the Ventura County Commission on Human Concerns and Community Development, $6,000 for a lease-assistance fund; the county Mental Health Department and Catholic Charities, $10,000 for emergency shelter; the Ventura County Public Social Services Agency, $10,000 to operate the Oxnard armory shelter, and Interface: Children, Family Services of Ventura County, $3,000 to assist homeless children.
The five programs were selected from seven applicants by a City Council review committee.
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