CASHLESS: What do Washington and Los Angeles...

CASHLESS: What do Washington and Los Angeles have in common besides a lot of hot air? Both were awarded $20-million federal grants to improve services for the homeless. But the San Fernando Valley’s share of the local windfall will be only about $600,000, or 3%, above. . . . To reduce “visible homeless,” most funds will be spent in a 60-square-mile area covering Skid Row, South-Central and East L.A.--which have the heaviest concentration of local homeless.

POOR WITH US: Although their presence is not as obvious as it is in other parts of L.A., about 3,500 to 6,000 homeless men, women and children live in the Valley--many in cars--social service providers estimate. . . . About 10% of Valley residents receive some form of welfare, ranging from medical aid to income maintenance.

WINTER’S CHILL: Feeling the cold at night? Try sleeping outdoors. The Valley’s cold-weather shelter for the homeless has opened only a few nights since the program began Nov. 14. That’s because the decision whether it’s cold enough to open the 155-bed shelter at the National Guard Armory in Van Nuys is made at 10 a.m.--and weather forecasts can be wrong. . . . Officials say they have too little in federal funds to open the shelter more often.

HELP ON WAY: Beginning Dec. 13, the Valley’s cold-weather homeless shelter will be open every night through Feb. 28. L.A. Family Housing Corp. runs shuttle buses that pick up the homeless at several Valley locations. . . . The county’s cold-weather shelter hot line can be reached by calling (800) 548-6047.

NO BACKLASH: Unlike charities in some other areas, Valley agencies say that anti-illegal immigrant feelings spawned by Proposition 187 have not had a significant impact--yet. As crucial holiday fund-raising drives begin, officials are hoping that local donors will not follow the example of some Orange County residents, who specified that their gifts go to legal residents or non-Latinos only.

Homeless Grant

A $20-million grant awarded to Los Angeles to improve services for the homeless will include a $600,000 share for the Valley. San Fernando Valley share: 3% Rest of Los Angeles share: 97% Source: U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development