The Pink Column by Diamond Jones

The Obama administration announced renewal funding for a dozen area programs to assist the homeless in the Richmond area and three more in Petersburg. Statewide, 131 homeless-assistance programs will receive $19.2 million aid from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to prevent any interruption in housing and other services to people in need.

“As we move into the coldest time of year, it’s critical that no program risk running out of money to keep their doors open,” HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said Wednesday in announcing $1.4 billion in renewal grants to 6,400 programs nationwide.

The Continuum of Care Grants total about $2.6 million in the Richmond area and $180,000 in Petersburg, or about $107,000 more than the programs received last year from HUD. The federal agency plans to announce funding for new projects early next year.

Richmond was the biggest beneficiary of this year’s grant renewals, with more than $1 million earmarked for the Richmond Shelter Plus Care program, and an additional $60,480 for supportive housing outreach efforts by the city’s Department of Social Services.

Other grant awards for Richmond and Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties will go to:

•Emergency Shelter Inc., $506,653 for its Family INRICH program and $99,960 for veterans’ transitional housing; •Hilliard House, $262,917; •Homeward, $26,731; •St. Joseph’s Villa, $272,000 for the Flagler Services for Homeless Families; •The Daily Planet Inc., $90,300 for collaborative treatment services, $118,171 for Safe Haven and $90,000 for the Safe Haven expansion; and •Virginia Supportive Housing, $39,860 for its program for families and $48,466 for its program for veterans. In Petersburg, HUD gave grants to:

•Homeward, $15,050; •The Salvation Army, $94,505 for Project H.O.P.E.; and The Urban League of Greater Richmond, $70,350, for Project Employment.

By MICHAEL MARTZ
Published: December 25, 2009
Updated: December 25, 2009

Courtesy of http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/HOME25_20091224-213003/313489/#

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