REP LIEU SECURES $5 MILLION FOR SOUTH BAY PROJECTS IN APPROPRIATIONS BILL

July 5, 2022

Press Release

WASHINGTON -Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) announced that the $5 million in federal funding he requested for five community projects in the South Bay has been included in the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations bill that will be brought up for a vote in the House in the coming weeks. These projects will help South Bay address issues around homelessness, temporary housing, special education, and safe cycling.

Last year, Congressman Lieu secured $3 million for South Bay community projects.

"I'm pleased to champion these projects that will help our community in Torrance immensely. The projects include creating a pilot program to provide mental health support and temporary housing for homeless individuals and expanding programs that help foster inclusive learning environments. These projects will help our community build a brighter future. This money will also go towards projects like a safe cycling program in Manhattan Beach, as well as the Harbor City Boys and Girls Club's college and career preparation programs. I look forward to championing these projects as they move through the appropriations process. Securing funding to support these programs is a top priority."

$1,000,000 for Mobile Crisis Response Pilot Program:The goal of the Mobile Crisis Response Pilot Program is to provide an evidenced-based response model for mental health and behavior-related calls involving the City's unhoused residents. Utilizing professional case managers, this program will better serve those in crisis and allow the Hermosa Beach Police Department to focus on other public safety priorities. Ideally, this mobile mental health crisis response model can be scaled and duplicated throughout the region to more effectively address mental health and homelessness in our communities. $1,000,000 for Expanding Inclusive Friendship School Clubs:The goal of this project is to create at least 22 new school clubs that will impact an estimated 1,900 students with special needs. One of these programs is the Inclusive School Friendship Club, which is in operation in 33 high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools throughout the greater South Bay. At each club, children with special needs are paired with student volunteers on a 1-to-1 basis to eat lunch, socialize, play games, and attend school events as a group. As a result of the Inclusive School Friendship Club, students in special education are seen and acknowledged, develop new friendships, experience less bullying and other abusive actions. Overall, students and the school body as whole become more aware of, and able to integrate, special education students, which is vital to their happiness and safety on school campuses.$1,000,000 for Torrance Temporary Housing Program:The Torrance Temporary Housing Program project will provide participants with a temporary home as well as services to ultimately attain permanent housing. This 40-unit temporary housing program, located on Civic Center grounds, will provide temporary housing in the form of "tiny homes," while offering residents case management and permanent housing navigation.$1,000,000 for Manhattan Beach Safe Cycling Project:The Manhattan Beach Safe Cycling project will close gaps and deficiencies on existing bike lanes to reduce risk of accidents, increase safety and comfort, facilitate access to beach recreation, and encourage people to use bicycles as transportation. The improved bike path, planned with community input, will help increase equitable access to our district's coastline for all constituents.$1,000,000 for Providing the Pathways to Success - College & Career Support:The Providing the Pathways to Success project will serve 300 or more teens in the Harbor City region. This project will expand upon the successful College Bound and Career Bound programs provided by the Boys and Girls Club of Los Angeles Harbor. During the 2020-2021 academic year (while schools were closed due to COVID-19 protocol), over 95% of the students who were involved in the program graduated from high school on time. Of that group, 90% attended college this fall. The digital expansion of these successful programs will produce similar results among a new class of young adults.

Background:

Last year, in Fiscal Year 2022, Congressman Lieu secured nearly $11 million in federal funding for local projects in Los Angeles County. The projects address homelessness, protect our environment, support our veterans, and more. These South Bay projects are among the 15 community projects for which Congressman Lieu has requested funding in Fiscal Year 2023.

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