More Help for the Homeless

A $6.48-million federal grant to Orange County for homeless programs is recognition both of the existence of large numbers of homeless people in one of the nation’s most affluent areas and of the county’s redoubled efforts to seek funds.

A year ago, the federal Housing and Urban Development Department rejected Orange County’s application for millions of dollars to help the homeless.

The rejection was surprising. After all, it was only the previous year that Washington did come through, giving the county a much-needed $7.2-million grant, payable over three years.

But after last year’s surprise rejection, agencies in Orange County that help the homeless and the county itself joined forces to make this year’s application one that Washington would understand and fulfill. Last month came the announcement of the renewed funding.

Cities and community and religious organizations formed a coalition to back the latest plea for funds. The resulting money will help pay for shelter, food, counseling and other services for the county’s homeless, who are estimated to number anywhere from 8,000 to 15,000.

Some sleep on the streets; others manage to bunk temporarily in shelters; some are “motel homeless,” living for up to 30 days in a motel until city zoning regulations force them to move, usually to another motel down the street. Some have medical problems, but a number were doing fine until losing a job.

The federal money also will help those in the motels and shelters, some of whom are victims of domestic violence and some of whom are children.

Much of the new grant, $2.4 million, will go to Mercy House Transitional Living Centers of Santa Ana. Mercy House’s executive director, Larry Haynes, said applicants for the programs his facility offers have to wait three months or longer before there is space.

On a given night, Orange County may have about 2,000 shelter beds, enough to help only one-quarter to one-eighth of the homeless.

The organizations, public and private, that help the homeless in the county deserve thanks and support. The federal money should help extend assistance to more people who find themselves without shelter.