County Supervisors Direct Nearly $4 Million in Federal Stimulus Funds to Needs of County’s Homeless and Low-Income

Funding from President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be making its way to San Bernardino County (and the Big Bear Valley), to help prevent homelessness and provide housing to low-income residents, given an action taken by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors in their meeting yesterday. Nearly $2.9 million in contracts with four area service providers, including the Family Service Association of Redlands, will provide rental assistance, utility assistance, and motel vouchers to homeless families and those on the brink of homelessness. In a statement, County Supervisor Josie Gonzales notes, “This assistance will help keep some families in their homes, and eliminate the possible threat of homelessness for many. Serving our residents in need during these difficult economic times is a county priority.” In a separate item during their September 22 meeting, County Supervisors also unanimously approved an additional $1.1 million to the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino, to provide monthly rental subsidy payments to approximately 114 households and one-time security deposit payments to approximately 100 households in the unincorporated areas of the County and within participating cities, which include Big Bear Lake.