Stanislaus County is looking for community input on how best to use more than $22 million allocated to the region to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding of $22,767,898 comes from the California Department of Housing and Community Development and its Emergency Solutions Grants Program. It was awarded to the Stanislaus County Community System of Care and is the single largest allocation of homeless-related funding ever received in the county. The source of the funding is the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stimulus Act enacted March 27.

"The importance of these funds is critical in allowing Stanislaus County to serve our community of individuals battling homelessness and to build upon the infrastructure of its continuum which guides those from homelessness to home," said Jason Conway, chairperson for the Stanislaus Community System of Care.

"These funds will continue and expand the great work in Stanislaus County of establishing a true pathway for our homeless neighbors to gain independence and security as they move through life," said Brad Hawn, chairperson for the Stanislaus Homeless Alliance.

A total of 2,107 people including 207 children experienced homelessness in Stanislaus County according to new numbers from a Point-In-Time homeless count conducted early this year. The count is up by 184 people from last year.

To get community feedback on how best to spend the funds in Stanislaus County, a special virtual meeting is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. The meeting will be held via ZOOM. Go to https://csocstan.com/csocagendaminutes/ for the CSOC agenda website and meeting link instructions.

People can also join the meeting by phone at 1-669-900-3920. The meeting ID is 852 1626 3920. The Password is 102337