The Continuum of Care grants that were awarded Tuesday will provide critical support in aiding the fight against homelessness, said Desmond Maaytah, Butler County Community Development Manager.
“The Butler County Board of Commissioners are excited to receive this grant of almost $500,000 to continue combating homelessness while assisting some of our most vulnerable Butler County residents in 2017,” he said.
With added stress on homeless shelters, especially this time of year, the funds allow more permanent housing options for the homeless, Maaytah said.
“We expect to be able to assist over 70 families per month with housing assistance and associated social services that will allow them to regain independence,” he said. “Local shelters have said this program frees the
Mindy Mueller of the Community Development Professionals, the group that will oversee the local money awarded, provided this breakdown of the grant funds:
- Butler County Shelter and Care for Chronically Homeless II will receive $151,761
- Butler Shelter Plus Care for Adults with Chronic Homelessness will receive $175,117
- Butler Shelter Plus Care for Homeless Individuals and Families will receive $166,497
“These funds are critical to the local continuum of care for the homeless and serve the most vulnerable residents in our community,” Mueller said. “While many HUD funding streams support homeless persons and families needing emergency housing, CoC funds that support the shelter plus care program ensure the most vulnerable of homeless persons are provided with a stable housing option. This program has removed many chronically homeless individuals and families from the emergency shelter system. Over time this is a significant cost savings to the community.”
Shelter Plus Care residents have to show a qualifying disability to qualify for housing and they may suffer from severe mental illness or have a qualifying developmental disability, according to Mueller.
“Program participants would have very few options for securing safe housing without this program,” she said. “With shelter plus care they are provided with housing and the support services they need to live independently and reintegrate into the community. It has literally saved the lives of many very vulnerable residents of our community.”
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