Organizations serving the homeless in Athens County can expect a boost in funding for the next three years thanks to federal stimulus money.
The Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action is applying for $841,000 for the next three years on behalf of the Athens, Hocking and Perry counties. The Ohio Department of Development allocated the funds based on number of vacancies, foreclosure rates and other factors, said Doug Stanley, director of Community Action.
Community Action needed letters of recommendation from the local housing coalitions and county commissioners of each county to apply. Athens County Commissioners approved the letter at their meeting yesterday.
The counties only need to apply to receive the funds, because the grant is not competitive. The money will be distributed this fall, Stanley said.
Funding for the homeless typically comes from a state housing trust fund, but on Feb. 17, President Barack Obama signed an act, including $1.5 billion for a Homelessness Prevention Fund. The Ohio Department of Development opted to use the federal funds, totalling more than $24.5 million for the state, for the next three years.
Athens, Hocking and Perry counties received a two-year grant of $150,000 from the housing trust fund, making the new grant a significant increase, Stanley said.
The funds must be used to provide financial assistance and services to prevent families from becoming homeless or assist those who already homeless to find housing, according to the Ohio Department of Development.
Organizations, such as Good Works, My Sister's Place, the 317 Board for Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services, could apply for these funds, Stanley said.
They are all lining up to get a jump on this money
Stanley said.
After the three-year period, the counties would return to the state fund for monies to prevent homelessness, Stanley said.
I would be hopeful that by that time the state economy will be improved he said.
In other business, Athens County Commissioners allocated $52,100 for a generator at the Beacon School. They also allocated up to $4,000 for the purchase and installation of a SMART board, an interactive white board, for the Athens Emergency Management Agency.
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Jessie Balmert
