Costa Announces Almost $390,000 to Fight Homelessness in Merced County
Washington, DC – March 15, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Rep. Jim Costa announced that$388,144has been awarded to Merced County organizations from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funds were made available through the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance competitive grant program. HUD recently released a report showing there are more than 500 homeless persons including more than 50 homeless veterans in Merced City and County.
“During recent meetings with city and county officials, chronic homelessness in the Merced area has repeatedly been brought up as a challenge that must be addressed,”said Costa. “These grants are a down payment on current efforts to break the cycle and make sure that everyone in the Valley has a safe place to call home. There is still much more to do to tackle this problem, but I’ll be fighting with you every step of the way.”
Lori Newman, Executive Director of the Community Social Model Advocates added, “Continued federal funding is critical to assisting the women who are on the difficult road to recovery from substance abuse or alcoholism. Providing safe, supportive transitional housing with services for these women and their young children improves the chances that they will maintain their new lifestyle. What we do every day rebuilds families and lives; this grant will help us build on that mission.”
The following organizations from Merced County have been awarded HUD grants:
Community Social Model Advocates, Rose Julia Riordan Tranquility House- $44,904
Atwater, CA
Merced County Office of Mental Health Project Home Start- $131,913
Merced County, CA
Merced County Office of Mental Health Turning Points Programs- $128,618
Merced County, CA
Merced County Community Action Agency- $82,709
Merced County, CA
These competitive grants can be used for a variety of programs to assist homeless populations including rental assistance, transitional housing, permanent housing, and other supportive services. The awardees receiving funds provide critical services that help the homeless secure and maintain safe, permanent housing and become self-sufficient.
