Los Angeles, April 2, 2013 – The Children and Families Commission of Los Angeles County (First 5 LA Commission) and the Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles (CDC) are happy to celebrate the launch of the Rental Assistance and Services Fund Program.

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They will be providing rental assistance and supportive services to 700 families with children ages five and under who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.  To be eligible, families must have current or past interaction with the County’s Department of Children and Family Services.

CDC Executive Director Sean Rogan stated, “We are delighted to be able to assist the First 5 LA Commission administer this very important program that will provide rental assistance and services to enable families to keep their young children in stable housing while on the road to self-sufficiency.”

The First 5 LA Commission designated the CDC to act as technical advisor and program administrator.  Following the release of the Notice of Funding Availability in July 2012, the First 5 LA Commission approved more than $7.5 million in funding awards for seven applicants to serve, on average, 350 families per year during the two-year program.  

“This is an opportunity for the First 5 LA Commission to make both an immediate and long-term impact on the needs of homeless families,” said the agency’s Executive Director Kim Belshé.  “With this program, we are focusing  on helping families with  children prenatal to age five who have had involvement with the child welfare system and are struggling daily with homelessness in Los Angeles County.”  

The funded service providers include: Los Angeles House of Ruth, Beyond Shelter – Los Angeles, Upward Bound House – Santa Monica, YWCA of San Gabriel Valley – Covina, Special Service for Groups, Inc. – Los Angeles, Harbor Interfaith Services, Inc. – San Pedro, and St. Joseph Center – Venice.

The First 5 LA Commission oversees the Los Angeles County allocation of funds from Proposition 10, which added a 50-cent tax on tobacco products sold in California.  Funds raised help pay for healthcare, education and child development programs for children from the prenatal stage to age five, and their families.  The agency’s mission is to increase the number of young children who are physically and emotionally healthy, safe, and ready to learn.