Winter 2001-02

Grantees Address Health and Human Service Needs of Homeless Populations

omelessness is bad for your health. The lack of shelter, food and clothing — combined with the stresses of street life — threaten a homeless person’s health both physically and mentally. 

A sagging economy and some of the most expensive housing markets in the country are contributing to higher rates of homelessness in California’s cities, towns and rural areas. Increasingly, homeless residents are the working poor and families with children.  This trend will likely continue, especially as welfare recipients who have not found gainful employment face time limits on the receipt of their welfare support.

“The homeless often have significant physical or mental health problems, which can factor into their being homeless, causing their health to get even worse,” said Gary L. Yates, president and CEO of The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF). “Integrated, accessible health and human services designed to meet the needs of diverse homeless populations have demonstrated their effectiveness at moving people from the streets onto healthier life paths.”

TCWF has provided grants to a number of nonprofit organizations that are assisting people who are in the crisis of homelessness to redirect their lives towards health and self-sufficiency. The following are just a few examples of TCWF-funded projects from throughout the state. 

continued...

All rights reserved. Property of The California Wellness Foundation.
©2001 The California Wellness Foundation. Terms of Use Agreement.
6320 Canoga Avenue, Suite 1700, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.
Phone: (818) 702-1900. Comments to the Webmaster at tcwf@cwf.tcwf.org