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Two homeless programs in Moreno Valley are getting a $2 million boost from federal dollars this year.
The money comes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, signed in December by President Joe Biden. The programs, which are partnerships with the Salvation Army, will receive $1 million each. Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside, secured the funds after meeting with officials from the city and the Salvation Army, a Moreno Valley news release states.
“These funds will allow us to continue to break the cycle of homelessness,” Takano said in the release. “I look forward to hitting the ground running to further assist our homeless neighbors in need.”
The city’s Homeless-to-Work Program helps homeless people get part-time jobs cleaning the city, the release states. The Emergency Shelter/Rapid Rehousing Program moves homeless families into immediate transitional housing.
Earlier in the year, Takano meet with former Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez — now a Riverside County supervisor — and David Cain, a member of the Salvation Army, to talk about the city’s homeless programs.
“We’re getting some good success stories,” said Vincent Fredborg, a coordinator for the Homeless-to-Work program said.
Launched in 2017, the Homeless-to-Work program found jobs for 53 people in 2020.
According to the release, the programs have helped decrease the city’s homeless population, whichh dropped 53% from 2020 to 2022, according to Riverside County’s homeless census, the Point-in-Time Count.
“This is huge: $2 million is going to help address our homelessness issue,” new Mayor Ulises Cabrera said by phone Friday, Jan. 6. “We’re grateful to Congressman Takano and we look forward to implementing that funding.”
Other programs in the city also are helping homeless residents get on their feet.
Last year, a new project offering homes for homeless youths and families was announced. The effort is a project led by Corey Jackson, now a Democratic assemblymember for the 60th District and founder and chief executive officer of the non-profit Sigma Beta Xi Youth and Family Services.
Jackson’s group received $3.9 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and the money allowed Jackson to buy almost 4 acres of land in Moreno Valley and start renovations.
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