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Board approves $2.7 million Catholic Charities contract to expand countywide homeless services

3096511 · April 22, 2025

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Summary

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved a $2.7 million agreement with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Diego, funded by the state's HAP Round 4 program, to operate a countywide day center, street outreach and rapid rehousing services.

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors on April 22 approved an agreement with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of San Diego to use $2,700,000 from the state's Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HAP) Round 4 program to expand homeless services across the county. Paul Yanes, director of the Department of Social Services, told the board the award will fund street outreach, case management, housing assistance, benefit navigation and operations for the county day center.

The contract will fund services offered “throughout the entire Imperial County, including unincorporated areas,” Yanes said, and intends to serve about 1,200 individuals, with roughly 200 placements targeted for rapid rehousing. The department said the program will use the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to document client contact and outcomes for state reporting.

Supporters at the meeting said the day center provides basic needs and dignity while connecting people to housing. Supervisor Cardenas Singh praised the program for giving people “a place of dignity, an opportunity to have a warm meal, be able to wash their clothes, and to be able to shower.” Community speakers — including Eric Montoya Reyes of Los Amigos and Diana Garcia Ruiz of Pareto Heber — urged strong outreach so people without transportation or who fear losing belongings can reach services in El Centro.

Yanes said Catholic Charities will provide transportation to the center as part of the agreement and that multiple nonprofits and county departments already participate in coordinated street outreach. He also said performance measures in the contract will track exits to permanent housing and other outcomes; staff said monthly reports and a public dashboard track expenditures and progress.

Supervisor Ryan Kelly moved approval and Supervisor Cardenas Singh seconded; the motion carried. The board asked staff to report back on program effectiveness as the grant is implemented.