SBNBCC
New Beginnings, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing housing insecurity and mental wellness, announced [Monday] that the County and City of Santa Barbara have been awarded an $8 million grant to resolve 18 vehicle encampments in the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria/Summerland, Isla Vista, Lompoc and Santa Maria and three vehicle encampments in unincorporated county locations.
New Beginnings was identified as the non-profit partner for implementation of the award. It is one of the state’s Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) grants announced by Governor Newsom last Thursday, and represents a significant investment in New Beginnings’ efforts to house individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara County.
“Far too many Californians continue to live in their cars or on the streets, and this critical state funding will help Santa Barbara County provide effective and locally-driven solutions and supportive services to our most vulnerable” said Senator Monique Limón. “I will continue to advocate in the Senate for funding and resources for our communities to address homelessness as it is available.”
“This is an incredible opportunity for our community to strategically focus significant resources on an identifiable and attainable goal,” said Kristine Schwarz, Executive Director of New Beginnings. “We look forward to working with landlords, property managers, and the myriad other community stakeholders who are essential partners in this effort.”
New Beginnings has been at the forefront of the efforts to end homelessness, offering a comprehensive range of services to help individuals, families, and veterans through both its Safe Parking and Supportive Services for Veteran Families Programs.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Safe Parking Program, the nation’s leading and model program for sheltering and housing the vehicular homeless.
A celebratory luncheon commemorating the program’s success and honoring Congressman Salud Carbajal and the Honorable Susan Rose’s contributions to the program is scheduled for June 20, 2024.
“This significant award comes at a most exciting time for New Beginnings as we celebrate the visionaries who inspired the Safe Parking Program 20 years ago” said Jackie Kurta, President of New Beginnings Board of Directors. “On behalf of the Board of Directors of New Beginnings, I want to offer our appreciation for the recognition offered to our Safe Parking Program and for the confidence that our local leaders and elected officials have indicated in awarding our agency this significant grant,” Kurta added.
New Beginnings provides quality, affordable counseling, shelter, case management and education that strengthens our community and provides people the ability to lead healthy and productive lives.
New Beginnings, located at 530 E. Montecito St., Suite 101, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, please contact our development department at (805) 963-7777 x112 or email at development@sbnbcc.org.
This is great! I’m proud to have my tax dollars find their way into grants like this. We can’t be a great society without helping our most vulnerable members. It should mean something to call ourselves a “civilized nation.”
we’re happy for you Sac that you are proud to support the Homeless Industrial Complex . Maybe you can get an invite to the luncheon celebrating the fact that they are able to continue raking in those tax dollars in these times of massive budget deficits. While conservatives are accused of “not believing in science” regarding pandemic and climate issues, progressives can be accused of not believing in common sense regarding the expectation of taxpayers to endlessly subsidize the unhoused while enabling a steady stream of asylum seekers needing
shelter. This is causing significant angst in large cities pitting long term citizens in need verses recent arrivals-and no, I will not provide a link.
“no, I will not provide a link.” – of course you won’t.