News Release/News Advisory/Request for Coverage – Feb. 22, 2007

Missouri agencies receive $25.7 million in local homeless support funding

Eighty-four local homeless programs throughout Missouri will receive more than $25.7 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development it was announced Jan. 20.  The funding is part of HUD’s Continuum of Care.

Twenty programs under the Balance of State Continuum of Care program, administered by Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC), will receive $3,482,673 in funding, including five new grant recipients.  The five new programs account for more than $1.26 million in new allocations.

The Governor’s Committee to End Homelessness, established in 1988, provides coordination and program oversight for the Balance of State Continuum of Care (CoC). The grants are designed to provide critically-needed transitional housing and permanent housing support in the some of the rural regions of the state.

“I am pleased that the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development has provided the funding we requested through my Committee to End Homelessness,” said Gov. Matt Blunt.  “This vital funding provides direct support to some of our most vulnerable citizens and is a product of a lot of hard work from dedicated state and volunteer agencies.”

The remaining 64 grants go to the six other CoC programs in the state.  <see complete list of Missouri CoC funding.>  The Balance of State programs funded include:

New funding

SEMO Christian Restoration Center – The Foundations for Living Project is designed to target chronically homeless individuals with a disability in the southeast region of the state, including Butler, Ripley, Dunklin, Pemiscot and Cape Girardeau Counties.  The $212,268 grants covers a three-year period to provide scattered site leasing for 10 units for single individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. This is HUD’s primary focus with McKinney-Vento funds under the Continuum of Care.

Wellspring of Life - Barry Lawrence Advocates Standing Together (BLAST) – The $297,990 grant funds a new permanent supportive housing program for three years for homeless single parents with disabilities and their children.  The plan includes building an 11-unit multifamily complex near downtown Monett with easy access to schools, employment sites, medical facilities and shopping.  BLAST already operates a transitional program.  The service area is Barry, Lawrence and Stone Counties in Southwest Missouri.

Ripley County Family Resource Center – The $160,711 grant funds for a new program providing scattered site leasing for six permanent supportive housing units for homeless individuals and families with disabilities for three years.  Ripley County, with the highest poverty rate in the state, is the service area.

Vision House of Cape Girardeau –  The $275,255 grant funds for two years a new program providing scattered site permanent supportive housing primarily to women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.  The funds will provide rental subsidies on 16 one and two bedroom units along with a full time case manager.

New Hope Ministries and Resource Center –The $315,817 grant provides permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness with disabilities for three years.  The new program will provide rental subsidies for 15 scattered site units for singles and for families as well as one full-time case manager in a four-county region that includes Scott, Stoddard, Mississippi and New Madrid counties.

Renewals

High Hope Employment Services, Inc – receives an $84,840 grant for two years to renew their permanent housing project for people experiencing homelessness with disabilities.  This project includes eight units; two for families and six for individuals.  This project received CDBG and MHDC funding when they were rehabbing what was once a nursing home in Milan in Sullivan County.

High Hope Employment Services - receives a $150,990 grant for two years to renew their permanent transitional housing project serving the homeless.  It includes nine units, two for families and seven for singles. 

Family Counseling Center, Inc. – A $240,005 grant renews a permanent housing project for people experiencing homelessness with disabilities for two years.  It is scattered site program covering Dunklin, Butler and Pemiscot counties, serving both families and individuals.

North East Community Action Agency – receives a $212,234 grant renewing their permanent supportive housing project for people experiencing homelessness with disabilities for the next two years.  This is a scattered site leasing project serving six counties in northeast Missouri; Randolph, Marion, Lincoln, Warren, Macon and Montgomery with 13 one, two and three bedroom units.

Community Caring Council – receives $361,872 for two years to renew a scattered site permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals with disabilities and their families.  It provides rent for 30 units ranging in size from studios to thee bedrooms in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Perry and Northern Scott counties.

Families Assisted in Transitional Housing, Inc. (FAITH) – One of the first grant recipients under the Missouri Continuum of Care program, FAITH received an $87,295 renewal for two years to provide utilities, maintenance and staff.  FAITH is a domestic violence shelter (transitional housing) serving women and children in Henry County.

The Salvation Army – had funds renewed at $104,668 for one year for their project serving those experiencing homelessness with disabilities in a scattered site permanent housing program.  They provide rent subsidies on 15 units, 11 for families and four for single individuals in Cole County.

Missouri Association for Social Welfare (MASW) – MASW received a $221,588 grant for two years to renew their management of the Homeless Management Information System which is a HUD requirement.  HMIS tracks homeless services that are being provided by all HUD funded agencies in the state.  This grant will expand the system to include agencies that provide services to those experiencing homelessness that do not receive federal funding so that a more complete picture can be developed. This serves all 100 counties in the Balance of State Continuum.

Department of Mental Health Shelter Plus Cares – Seven different DMH projects received a one year grant for $757,140 providing 131 units of permanent supportive housing in all six counties of the Bootheel Region, Howell, Butler, Ripley, Wayne, St. Francois, Stone, Taney, Marion, Ralls, and Adair Counties. 

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NOTE TO EDITORS:  Please contact local program directors for more information about the local programs.  If you would like to receive this release by e-mail in rich-text format, please email blaster@mhdc.com and provide us with the appropriate e-mail address.

The Governor’s Committee to End Homelessness

The Governor’s Committee to End Homelessness, established in 1988, provides coordination and program oversight for the Balance of State Continuum of Care (CoC).The Governor’s Committee collaborates with Missouri Housing Development Commission, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Economic Development, and many other public and private agencies, to coordinate the CoC’s annual application to HUD for homelessness funds.  The Governor’s Committee also provides information and technical assistance to local organizations to help them improve coordination and expand their networks to more effectively serve those experiencing homelessness in their communities.