LOCAL AGENCIES TO RECEIVE $5.8 MILLION FOR HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND RAPID-REHOUSING SERVICES

United Way estimates more than 2,000 households will be helped with federal stimulus funds

INDIANAPOLIS - Twenty local agencies that help open doors for people without homes or those at risk of becoming homeless are getting an infusion of $5.8 million to address the challenges made even more crucial during these tough times. That news came today from United Way of Central Indiana's (UWCI) headquarters where Mayor Greg Ballard joined UWCI's President and CEO Ellen K. Annala to announce grant recipients.

"These 20 grantees will help give more of our neighbors one of the most basic human needs: a safe place to call home," said Mayor Ballard. "We are excited to be able to award these funds to such deserving institutions who will work to provide a better quality of life for our neighbors in need."

The total funding includes $3.5 million from the city and $2.3 million from the state through the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program under Title XII of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These funds, issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will help an estimated 2,044 households, according to United Way.

For individuals and families who are at risk of becoming homeless, the funds will help pay short and medium-term rental assistance, security and utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance and motel/hotel vouchers.

For those already homeless, the funds will be used to help arrange, coordinate, monitor and deliver housing-related services. That can include outreach and engagement, legal services, developing individualized housing plans, housing search and placement, and credit repair.

Unlike many direct assistance programs, this program can provide up to 18 months of support for participants but requires that they be recertified every three months to show progress toward housing stability.

"Local need is growing," said Annala, citing data collected about calls to 2-1-1. Last year calls for help to make a rent or mortgage payment jumped 47 percent compared to 2007. More than half of those were needs that remained unmet.

"Neighborhood based community centers are often the first organizations that families in serious need turn to for assistance," said Annala. "These organizations, along with other charitable organizations, are experiencing extraordinary requests for assistance. Nearly all organizations have waiting lists of families needing help due to lay-offs, reduced hours and trouble finding new jobs."

Grantees are:
1. Community Alliance of the Far Eastside Inc. - $265,000
2. Children's Bureau Inc. - $227,000
3. Christamore House Family and Community Center - $240,000
4. Concord Neighborhood Center - $340,000
5. Fathers and Families Center - $240,000
6. Flanner House of Indianapolis Inc. - $303,000
7. Forest Manor Multi-Service Center Inc.- $280,000
8. Hawthorne Social Service Association Inc. - $370,000
9. HealthNet Inc. (Homeless Initiative Program) - $478,800
10. Horizon House - $433,860
11. HVAF of Indiana Inc. - $237,577
12. Indiana Legal Services Inc. - $100,000
13. John H. Boner Community Center - $265,000
14. Martin Luther King Community Center - $189,959
15. Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center - $370,000
16. Oasis Christian CDC - $181,930
17. PACE/OAR Inc. - $373,000
18. Southeast Community Services Inc. - $165,000
19. The Salvation Army Social Service Center - $467,070
20. Volunteers of America of Indiana Inc. - $330,000