Texas receives $5.2 million federal grant to fight, prevent homelessness
AUSTIN, TX – July 19, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a $5.2 million Continuum of Care grant to Texas which will fund seven organizations providing or furthering housing and supportive services for homeless families and individuals, or those at risk of homelessness, helping to transition them out of poverty.
HUD awarded the grant funds to the Texas Homeless Network (THN), a nonprofit membership organization funded in part through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) and other entities at the state level. TDHCA annually funds THN to help the organization gather data and develop strategies addressing statewide issues that require solutions more comprehensive than local organization can supply on their own.
TDHCA’s funding, which totaled $218,000 over the two-year period that covers most of the grant funds, helped the organization coordinate the application process and leverage the $5.2 million award. The award will provide direct services to an estimated 350 individuals in 16 counties, as well as thousands more through a statewide data gathering and sharing system that will help 192 mostly rural counties coordinate services and maximize the allocation of resources.
“We are extremely pleased by news of this award and know that the Texas Homeless Network and its local affiliates will take full advantage of these grant funds to the benefit of thousands of homeless Texans or those living on the edge of homelessness,” said Michael Gerber, TDHCA Executive Director. “This award demonstrates the very good work THN is doing and is an excellent example of how Texas is leveraging limited state funds to make the most of its resources.”
“Through generous support from TDHCA and the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Texas Homeless Network was able to provide the necessary framework of planning and research to apply for these funds,” said Ken Martin, THN Executive Director. “The grant will provide housing and needed supportive services to help persons and families experiencing homelessness across the state, and in the funded communities in particular, transition to greater self-sufficiency.”
Receiving funds through the Continuum of Care grant were the following organizations:
|
Applicant |
Service Area |
Award |
Activities |
|
Abilene Hope Haven |
Abilene and Taylor County |
$692,758 (2 grants) |
Childcare for parents seeking employment; transitional housing, self-sufficiency assistance |
|
Central Texas Youth Services Bureau |
Bell, Coryell, Ellis, Falls, Lampasas, Limestone, McLennan, Milam, and Navarro counties |
$254,185 |
Transitional housing, self-sufficiency assistance for homeless youth |
|
South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse |
Laredo and Webb County |
$1.6 million |
Transitional housing, services for chronically homeless with drug/alcohol dependence issues |
|
Bethany House |
Laredo and Webb County |
$778, 554 |
Transitional housing, health and medical services for homeless |
|
SAFE-T |
Camp, Franklin, Hopkins, Morris, and Titus counties |
$779,226 |
Transitional housing with emphasis on victims of domestic violence |
|
Texas Homeless Network |
Balance of State (mostly rural areas in Texas not currently covered by existing Continuums of Care) |
$1 million |
Data collection to assist 126 local providers identify, close gaps in service |
HUD allocated Continuum of Care grants through an annual competitive application process, and awards are made to communities demonstrating a willingness and ability to collaborate to end homelessness. Components of the Continuum of Care system include: outreach, intake, and assessment to identify housing need; emergency shelter and safe, decent alternatives to living on the streets; transitional housing with supportive services; and permanent housing and permanent supportive housing.
Preventing homelessness is a critical mission of TDHCA. The Department is currently administering $66.7 million to address the problem of homelessness in the state through the federal Emergency Shelter Grants Program, the state’s Homeless Housing and Services Program and the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program, the latter funded through the federal economic stimulus package.
Together, these programs fund local initiatives designed to provide emergency housing and services to homeless individuals or offer short-term assistance to prevent homelessness. TDHCA also provides administrative support to the Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless, which consists of representatives from all state agencies that serve persons experiencing homelessness.
About The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is the state agency responsible for affordable housing, community services, energy assistance, colonia housing programs, and disaster recovery housing programs. It currently administers over $2 billion through for-profit, nonprofit, and local government partnerships to deliver local housing and community-based opportunities and assistance to Texans in need.
###
