Rep. Bass Secures Millions to Combat Homelessness, Support Community Safety

Last week, President Joe Biden signed legislation into law, which included millions of dollars secured by Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) to combat homelessness, support community safety efforts, and strengthen public health in Los Angeles.

"I'm proud to announce that help is on the way for Los Angeles," said Bass "These investments to combat homelessness, improve community safety and assist families with the increasing costs of living in our congressional district are coming at a crucial time. Now that we have these new allocated funds on the federal level, we have to ensure that they reach our communities as soon as possible."

Rep. Bass was able to secure more than $5 million for programs and service-providers in Los Angeles. Those include the following programs in the 37thCongressional District working to combat the homelessness crisis:

Ward EDC King Solomon Village Interim Housing – Funding secured to offer long-term shelter for unhoused residents including those with pets.

St. Joseph Center Workforce Development Training Programs for Low Income Adults – Funding secured to support job training and career development programs for people experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of losing their housing, including those living in interim or supportive housing.

Substance abuse is a leading cause and/or result of being unhoused. Rep. Bass secured the following funds for drug treatment services in the 37th Congressional District:

Asian American Drug Abuse Prevention (AADAP)– Funding secured to allow families to remain together in AADAP's treatment program--preventing children from being placed in foster care.

People Coordinated Services of Southern California, Inc. – Funding secured for residential and out-patient wrap-around counseling and drug treatment services for individuals and their families.

Rep. Bass also secured the following funds for programs in the 37th Congressional District to support violence prevention:

Brotherhood Crusade and 2nd Call: Answering the Second Call, A Holistic, Culturally-Responsive, Trauma-Informed Re-Entry Program – Funding secured for programs to reduce recidivism by assisting individuals who are returning from incarceration. Services include peer mentoring, employment support, counseling and community reintegration.

Urban Peace Institute and Chapter TWO South Los Angeles Peace Ambassadors– Funding secured to strengthen and expand the South Los Angeles Peace Ambassadors program where people with lived experience intervene in conflicts and prevent the cycle of violence through deep community engagement.

A New Way of Life--Safe Homes, Women's Reentry and Economic Development Initiative – Funding secured to assist women returning from incarceration to heal from trauma and substance abuse, exit parole, and successfully transition back to their families and their communities.

Jenesse Center Healthy Family and Community Project – Funding secured to allow the creation of a 24-hour drop-in center and expand proven programs for preventing domestic violence (DV) and aiding DV survivors.

YWCA of Greater Los Angeles Sexual Assault Response Team Project (SART) – Funding secured will support the sexual violence prevention and intervention programs throughout Los Angeles County, including at the Rosa Parks Rape Crisis Center located in South Los Angeles. The free services include a 24-hour rape crisis hotline, counseling, community awareness, prevention education, advocacy and victim accompaniment services.