Chacon to Spearhead Homeless Aid Bill

Assemblyman Peter Chacon (D-San Diego) Friday announced plans to introduce a $30-million proposal to provide aid for the state’s growing homeless population.

The legislation, called the Homeless Relief Act of 1986, would provide jobs, food, clothing and help in finding housing to Californians who have no place to live.

There are about 500,000 homeless in California, 5,000 of them in San Diego County, according to Supervisor Leon Williams, who was at the press conference announcing the proposal.

The legislation would create a state Office of Homeless Services, with a director to be appointed by the governor.

Chacon announced the legislative proposal at the Catholic Worker Inc. in San Diego, a social service organization that helps feeds the city’s homeless. About 80 people, including reporters, political figures and the indigent, were on hand for the announcement.

Chacon said about $25 million would be used to provide counseling and job placement services and to set up six alcoholism treatment and prevention centers throughout the state.

Rose DeAnda, a Chacon aide, said the alcoholism centers were part of the proposal because alcoholism and being homeless often go hand-in-hand.

About $4.5 million would be for a housing-location program providing loans to those looking for a permanent place to stay. About $450,000 would be slated for administrative costs.

Chacon said the proposal was modeled after San Diego’s effort to deal with the city’s homeless. “San Diegans have created a model for the nation . . . a model that includes comprehensive coordination of homeless services that get more bang for the buck.”

DeAnda said details of where the money would come from for the ambitious program have not been determined. She said that there has been talk of requesting a direct appropriation from the state’s 1987-88 budget.

“The homeless population is growing at a time when federal budget balancing is forcing cutbacks in what few services there are,” Chacon said in citing the need for the legislation.

DeAnda said the proposal will be introduced in the Assembly Monday.