State awarded $19 million to address homeless issue

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency recently announced that federal funds of nearly $19 million have been awarded to California to help prevent homelessness, and feed and shelter the hungry and homeless. FEMA Director David

Paulison said more than $151 million in funding was made available by Congress for the National Board of the Emergency Food and Shelter program to support social service agencies in more than 2,500 cities and counties across the country.

EFS grant funds are used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs for people with nondisaster-related emergencies.

Los Angeles city/county received $4.2 million in funds, compared to $403,368 for Ventura County.

The EFS program, entering its 25th year, is administered by a national board of voluntary agencies chaired by FEMA.