On Thursday, September 1, Congressman Mark Takano met with the City of Moreno Valley and The Salvation Army to discuss the potential expansion of the City’s homeless services programs.
Congressman Takano heard a presentation from Captain David Cain of The Salvation Army about the Homeless to Work program, which allows homeless individuals to achieve part-time work beautifying the City, and the Rapid Rehousing Program, which moves homeless families into immediate transitional housing.
The City and The Salvation Army are seeking additional federal funding to expand the Homeless to Work program and the Rapid Rehousing Program to reach more individuals in need.
“I was honored to meet with Congressman Takano and his team and show them our hard work in breaking the cycle of homelessness in Moreno Valley,” said Dr. Yxstian Gutierrez, Mayor of Moreno Valley. “Our Homeless to Work program has quickly become the gold standard in assisting our homeless neighbors and getting them back on their feet.”
“I am thrilled to see Moreno Valley take the lead in reducing the homeless population in Riverside County,” said Congressman Mark Takano. “Programs like Homeless to Work and Rapid Rehousing show that it is possible to create effective and meaningful homeless initiatives that center on the dignity of a job and a roof over your head. I thank the City of Moreno Valley and The Salvation Army for their continued dedication to assisting those in need.”
Residents may have seen the Homeless to Work program in an ABC 7 report that highlighted the positive impact of part-time jobs in alleviating the homelessness crisis in the region.
Thanks in part to the Homeless to Work and Rapid Rehousing Programs, the homeless population in Moreno Valley has dropped 53 percent, according to the latest point-in-time homeless count conducted by Riverside County.
Visit mymoval.org/homeless to learn more about programs in Moreno Valley that help the homeless.