75A - PH - CDBG PROGRAM 12-13 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

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