PRESS RELEASE
$1.3 Million Grant Awarded to HCHC for New Service Programs

April 28, 2002 Hollywood, California – Hollywood Community Housing Corporation was awarded a $1.3 million grant from SHIA, the Supportive Housing Initiative Act, to provide expanded supportive services to its residents. SHIA was launched by Gov. Davis and is offered under the auspices of the California Department of Mental Health. Forty-one applications from non-profit and government agencies were received by the California Department of Mental Health and 14 new programs were selected from this group, including Hollywood Community Housing Corporation. The 14 grants range from $166,000 to nearly $2.6 million.

The SHIA funding provides affordable housing supportive services to low-income people and/or families with special needs, including those with mental illness, HIV/AIDS, chronic health conditions, and substance addictions. The 14 programs receive three-year grants and are expected to serve 3,162 clients, of which 300 are HCHC residents.

“This is an exciting and proven concept,” Gov. Davis said. “By providing housing and onsite services to people with special needs, individuals are able to avoid homelessness, improve their health status, and contribute to their families and to their communities. These grants will allow individuals or families to move toward independence.”

With the support of SHIA funding, HCHC expanded its programs beginning August 2002. The expanded supportive services offered include ESL classes, Vocational Counseling, Parenting Classes and Children’s Programs, Financial Management Workshops, after school care, healthcare access, community referrals and group therapy. “These services will have a major impact on reducing the barriers to independent living and self-sufficiency,” Donna Cox, Director of Residential Services, said. Several new staff members have joined the HCHC team and are responsible for providing the expanded services.