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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM <br />CITY OF SANTA ANA <br />CITY AGENCY PROPOSAL <br />FISCAL YEAR 2012-13 PROGRAM <br />AGENCY: Police Department <br />PROJECT NAME: HEART Program <br />AMOUNT REQUESTED: $ 35,000 <br />The Santa Ana Police Department recognizes that criminalization of homeless individuals is not the <br />solution to this ever growing problem. While enforcement is definitely needed to maintain public safety, <br />cleanliness and order in the Civic Center and surrounding area, it must be coupled with alternatives that <br />will prevent the homeless person from having continuous contact with the police. <br />Taking from HUD's Continuum of Care philosophy, the Santa Ana Police Department, and specifically the <br />Civic Center Detail, seeks to create a program that will identify and determine individual needs, partner <br />with entities that provide assistance to the homeless population, and then unite the two thereby providing a <br />viable option for the homeless. The ultimate goal will be to provide a measureable program with its sight <br />set on self-sufficiency for those desiring to escape homelessness. <br />The Santa Ana Police Department's Homeless Evaluation/Assessment Response Team (HEART) will <br />achieve this goal. This program will be established to provide long-term solutions beyond the short-term <br />solutions offered through enforcement of laws and ordinances. This will occur by: <br />• Identification of the homeless and understanding of individual needs <br />• Identifying entities that can provide resources <br />• Creating partnerships and providing referrals. <br />• Program maintenance and management <br />The Civic Center Detail is best suited for implementation of this program for several reasons. The officers <br />provide service to this area seven days a week. The officers have been trained to treat each person with the <br />respect and dignity they deserve and as such have built a good rapport within the Civic Center. <br />Furthermore, the officers have the opportunity to contact the non-profit organizations that currently provide <br />services to the homeless population. Lastly, many relationships with outside entities that can provide <br />services already exist with the supervisors that oversee the Detail. <br />Additionally funds will be used for a referral and service coordinator. <br />75A-12