Costa Announces More Than $5.3 Million to Combat Valley Homelessness

Washington, DC – March 14, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Rep. Jim Costa announced more than $5.3 million has been awarded to Fresno and Madera 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 that nearly 4,500 homeless persons including more than 600 homeless veterans in Fresno and Madera Counties.

“Here in our Valley, we continue to battle the plight of homelessness as our neighbors are faced with questions every night about where they will rest their heads,” said Costa. “These funds will help advocates throughout our Valley continue to transform lives and help our vulnerable populations find a safe place to call home.”

Fresno Housing Authority’s Executive Director/CEO, Preston Prince commented, “We are incredibly pleased to receive these renewal awards for our existing programs that support our homeless initiatives. In a very tenuous funding environment, these grants for over $1.3 million allow us to have confidence that we can continue to serve our community’s most at-risk population. We are anxiously awaiting the announcement of the funding for our new programs that will enhance our efforts to end homelessness in our community.”

Michelle L. Tutunjian, Fresno EOC’s Director Sanctuary and Youth Services, added, “We are extremely pleased to be awarded critical funding to continue our efforts to end youth homelessness in Fresno. Our three federal funding awards will provide 90 homeless youth and their families, including youth exiting the foster care system, with up to 24 months of transitional housing and supportive services to assist them with becoming self-sufficient and contributing members of our community.”

The following organizations from California’s 16th Congressional District, which Costa represents, have been awarded HUD grants:

· Fresno EOC Sanctuary Transitional Living Centers- $1,075,516

· Fresno Housing Authority- $1,399,268

· Marjaree Mason Center- $625,748

· Povarello House- $360,915

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.