County mulls how loss of federal funds will affect homelessness prevention

"The Heading Home Campaign, created through a referral by Ellenberg, whose District 4 includes Campbell, and former Supervisor Cindy Chavez, launched in 2021 in collaboration with the Office of Supportive Housing (OSH). Since then, the campaign has helped 2,543 families, including more than 5,000 children age 5 or younger, secure permanent housing. An additional 145 families are currently enrolled in housing programs and actively searching for housing."

"Building on the campaign's efforts, the county launched a school-based pilot program in October, in partnership with San José Unified School District, East Side Union High School District and the Bill Wilson Center. The pilot places homelessness prevention resources directly on school campuses, providing families at risk of homelessness with onsite case management, flexible financial assistance and legal services. "The new school-based initiative reflects our commitment to meeting families where they are, acting before homelessness occurs and addressing homelessness at its root," Ellenberg said in a release."

""Our progress is the result of extraordinary partnership," said Supervisor Susan Ellenberg. "Schools, service providers and the county have come together to ensure that thousands of families and children have access to housing and stability." Families with children experiencing homelessness account for 16% of the county's 2025 Point in Time Count homeless population. In light of significant federal funding cuts, including the proposed shift away from permanent housing, the Board of Supervisors was set to examine how these cuts may impact the Heading Home Campaign and similar efforts at its Nov. 18 meeting."

Heading Home launched in 2021 through a referral and collaboration with the Office of Supportive Housing. The campaign has secured permanent housing for 2,543 families, including more than 5,000 children age 5 or younger, and 145 additional families are actively enrolled and searching. Families with children comprise 16% of the county's 2025 Point in Time Count homeless population. A school-based pilot places prevention resources on campuses with onsite case management, flexible financial assistance and legal services. The Board of Supervisors planned to assess impacts from significant federal funding cuts and proposed shifts in housing funding.

Read at The Mercury News