COUNTY COMES TO RESCUE BOARD DIRECTS AGENCY TO PROVIDE PLAN FOR HOMELESS.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - The county Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to direct a Los Angeles agency to help house Santa Clarita's homeless.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, a joint county and city of Los Angeles agency, was directed to provide a plan, including cost analysis and placements for the homeless population during the cold season.

The plan would include the use of motel vouchers, shelter services and case management, according to officials with Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, who submitted the motion. Antonovich has said the objective was to make sure the needs of the homeless are met during the winter months.

Earlier this year, the Santa Clarita City Council approved $36,000 to accept any requests for proposals from any nonprofit organization that could provide a successful plan to assist Santa Clarita's homeless, especially during the winter months.

The council agreed in principle last April to make the money available after an attempt to find a permanent winter shelter was unsuccessful. Councilman Frank Ferry, who had searched for a site for five months earlier this year, said too many residents and business owners objected to a temporary winter shelter near their properties. Of the 18 sites he looked at, five were possibilities, but there was too much concern among local residents. The period to accept any request for proposals will end Oct. 20, but the city is expecting to receive several offers, said spokeswoman Gail Ortiz.

``We have had several inquiries,'' Ortiz said. ``The council will review the proposals.''

Two weeks ago, members from the Santa Clarita Community Development Corp., which operates the shelter, pleaded with the Santa Clarita City Council to extend its yearlong lease by six months. It would allow the nonprofit group's temporary shelter to remain at the parking lot of the Via Princessa Metrolink station from Dec. 1 to March 15 - one more season - while members continue the search for a permanent home.

However, the council did not make a decision on the lease, which expires Nov. 1.

A 2002 survey counted 175 homeless people in Santa Clarita - most of them families. Also, an estimated 10,000 residents are at risk of becoming homeless.

Members from the SCCDC have said the county's decision to take responsibility for the homeless may come too late. The shelter usually opens in December.

Since 1997, the community group has reviewed some 30 potential sites for the shelter. Some plans for sites were derailed due to protests from nearby businesses and residents, officials said.