The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently awarded a grant worth $44.5 million to San Francisco to help the homeless. This is an increase from last year's $41.5 million, according to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Most of the money, $38 million, was earmarked for 47 permanent housing developments. Another $1.7 million is to be used to improve an entry system that will be coordinated so that the homeless can be routed more effectively to city services that they need specifically. Navigating a system like this can be difficult, so officials could use brochure printing to develop a pamphlet explaining it.
London Breed, San Francisco’s mayor, said the city is focusing on getting people into shelter and permanent housing, and off the street, adding that the HUD funds are critical in helping San Francisco continue this effort. The money, she said, will help expand the system, keep people in the housing they already have or help them find housing, and restructure the way people and services are brought together. The money will also help fund supportive housing for people who are chronically homeless.
More money went to San Francisco than any other county in California except Los Angeles. The Bay Area, which comprises nine counties, received $153 million in total, but Los Angeles County received $124 million, the largest grant made to one government entity in the state.