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VI. Emergency Shelter Grant Narrative Statements A. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED DIRECTLY WITH ESG FUNDS During the report period, the City of Santa Ana continued to address the needs of the homeless and those at risk of homelessness with Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds. Persons assisted with ESG included extremely low- and very low- income people, small and large families, unaccompanied women, men, single -/two- parent families, and adult couples without children. For 2003 -2004, Santa Ana received $287,000 from HUD for ESG programs. Fourteen homeless programs received ESG funding which was used in the following manner: 1. Homelessness Prevention: A total of $17,000 in ESG funds was allocated to support homeless prevention activities. Agencies awarded ESG funds to prevent homeless were the Southwest Minority Economic Development Agency and the City's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency. These agencies served 426 at -risk individuals by providing assistance with utility payments to avoid the discontinuance of services, and rent/mortgage payments to prevent eviction due to a temporary setback in ability to make payments. 2. Essential Services for the Homeless: Several programs, supported with ESG funds during the 2003 -2004 report period, provided essential services for the City's homeless population. These programs included the Mental Health Association, Mercy House Center, Casa Teresa and the Women's Transitional Living Center. The Mental Health Association's (MHA) Community Outreach Program is an example of the essential services /outreach efforts for this component of the City's Continuum of Care system. MHA staff visits known sites frequented by homeless individuals. With much patience and time, the outreach worker slowly gains the trust of persons needing psychological evaluation. Once an assessment is completed, the outreach worker is able to connect individuals with the services that conditions may require. The Santa Ana Police Department utilizes this service by informing outreach workers when /where they encounter a person needing attention. Essential services were supported with $75,900 in ESG funds during the report period. The programs listed above also provided counseling, employment assistance, food, over the counter medications, assistance in recovering from drug /alcohol addiction, bus vouchers for medical appointments, transportation to job opportunities, and other forms of assistance aimed at helping the homeless address personal needs that help achieve self - sufficiency. 49 9/9/04 19E -52