The Community Investment For Families Department (CIFD), a department dedicated to ending generational poverty, has been allocated a substantial increase in General Fund resources to help reach more Angelenos. This investment, made by the Mayor and City Council, represents an increase of more than $13 million to continue and expand services and will add four new FamilySource Centers through the City’s Fiscal Year 23-24 budget, as signed by Mayor Karen Bass and the City Council.
The budget, which takes effect on July 1, is a major boost to CIFD programs that address homelessness, homelessness prevention, food insecurity, domestic violence/human trafficking, case management, financial coaching for families and young people, along with many other services.
“We are grateful to the Mayor and City Council for prioritizing Angelenos and meeting our City’s poverty challenges head on,” said Abigail Marquez, CIFD General Manager. “The increased support and resources is a step in the right direction and will allow us to increase our capacity to serve more Angelenos in need”.
The additional funds represent an increase of 67 percent from the current year to community organizations funded by CIFD. The FamilySource System will be expanded from 16 to 20 centers across the city, and will be positioned to increase the number of low-income people served to 50,000 children and families. FamilySource Centers provide supportive services such as food, case management, public benefits counseling, free tax preparation services, along with social and academic support for youth.
“I’m grateful to Mayor Bass and my colleagues for their partnership during this process,” said Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, Chair of the Budget, Finance and Innovation Committee, in a statement. “Our budget reflects the priorities and goals we share, and I look forward to continuing this work throughout the year.”
A total of $3.6 million will be allocated to integrate CIFD’s Solid Ground Homeless Prevention program within the FamilySource System. The Solid Ground program helps curb the inflow of new cases of homelessness for families by stabilizing housing and working with them to build a more financially secure future.
Other notable CIFD budget highlights include:
- $6.5 million to aid the Domestic Violence/Human Trafficking program
- $1.2 million to continue the Opportunity L.A. Children’s Saving Account program
- $700,000 to support homeless families through the Kids First program
- $100,000 to support unaccompanied minors
“This budget reflects our values and invests in the most critical needs of our city,” said Mayor Bass in a statement. “I am so proud that the City Council has affirmed these priorities and is joining me in building a new Los Angeles with the urgency that Angelenos deserve.”