City eyes millions in federal homeless funds

Glendale plans to ask for about $2.6 million in federal funds to help pay for 13 projects aimed at helping the homeless.

The decision last week by the Housing Authority to go after the money comes as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development makes $1.63 billion available to programs that move the homeless toward self-sufficiency and stable housing.

About $172,000 of the money Glendale is requesting would be used for housing vouchers for military veterans.

The federal funding would also pay for a variety of other programs, including transitional housing and emergency shelters, next fiscal year.

Community Services and Parks Director Jess Duran said as long as the city submits a complete application, it’s virtually guaranteed funding for its 12 existing programs. But if the application gets high enough marks from HUD, Glendale could get extra money to provide vouchers for veterans.

According to a count of the city’s homeless population in January, there are 412 transients in Glendale, most of whom are involved in some sort of city programming. About 85% of those in Glendale’s transitional housing programs move on to permanent housing, said Ivet Samvelyan, Glendale’s homeless services coordinator. The national average is 65%.

About 50 families receive transitional housing assistance annually and stay for an average of 14 months, according to the city.

Glendale’s Housing Authority and local homeless service providers have received more than $23.7 million in federal money since 1996, according to a city report.

Glendale is one of three cities, including Pasadena and Long Beach, in Los Angeles County that receives money directly from HUD. . Other cities are serviced by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.