Plan for Homeless Prevention Funds

Plan for Homeless Prevention Stimulus Funds

The City is seeking public input on a plan to use $3.9 million in stimulus funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for use in the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP).

These funds are to be used to provide homelessness prevention assistance to households who would otherwise become homeless - many due to the economic crisis - and to provide assistance to rapidly re-house persons who are homeless. The program will be administered via community organizations who directly serve the intended populations.

The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program plan can be viewed by going to http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DMD/Community/Pages/home.aspx.

Comments will also be accepted by regular mail at:
Erica Aquila
Department of Metropolitan Development
Room 2042
200 East Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Stimulus Package Discussions in D.C.

Deputy Mayor Williams Travels to D.C. to Discuss Stimulus Package

Deputy Mayor for Neighborhoods Olgen Williams will travel to Washington, D.C. today to take part in the White House Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation Conference hosted by Vice President Joe Biden.

“Having the opportunity to represent Indianapolis at this conference is so important because we understand how crucial it is to ensure these stimulus dollars are being spent in the most responsible way possible,” said Deputy Mayor Williams. “I hope when all is said and done, the citizens of Indianapolis will be able to see a true difference in the city as a result of these funds.”

Conference attendees will consist of representatives from state and local governments tasked with overseeing how stimulus dollars are spent in their jurisdictions as well as members of President Obama’s administration. The group will discuss ideas and learn more about the implementation of the stimulus funds.

In a letter to Mayor Greg Ballard, Vice President Biden reiterated the importance to implementing an open process for spending the stimulus money.

“City and county governments are going to play a crucial role in partnering with me to ensure that the implementation is effective, transparent and efficient,” said Vice President Biden. In an effort support that, the recovery team has created a new website, www.Recovery.gov, to give every citizen the ability to find out how and where their money is spent.

The conference will begin Tuesday evening with a working dinner at 7 p.m. and will resume Wednesday morning with meetings throughout the day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Track stimulus dollars online

Track stimulus dollars online

The State of Indiana has launched Invest.IN.Gov, a website that describes itself as the clearinghouse for information on the millions in federal stimulus dollars that will be flowing into the state in the coming weeks.

Stimulus Funds for Housing

City to Receive Stimulus Funds for Housing

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced that the City of Indianapolis will receive $2.5 million in Community Block Grant (CDBG) and $3.9 million in Homeless Prevention Fund money as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act).

The Recovery Act includes $13.61 billion for projects and programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, nearly 75 percent of which was allocated to state and local recipients on February 25, 2009. The remaining 25 percent of funds will be awarded through a competitive process in the coming months.

The CDBG program enables local governments to undertake a wide range of activities intended to create suitable living environments, provide decent affordable housing and create economic opportunities, primarily for persons of low and moderate income. Under the Recovery Act, recipients are directed to give priority to projects that can award contracts based on bids within 120 days of the grant agreement.

The Homelessness Prevention Fund will provide financial assistance and services to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless and help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized.

The funds under this program are intended to target individuals and families who would be homeless but for this assistance. The funds will provide for a variety of assistance, including short-term or medium-term rental assistance, housing relocation and stabilization services, mediation, credit counseling, security or utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance, and case management.

At least 60 percent of funds must be spent within two years, and all funds must be spent within three years.

Indianapolis Stimulus Watch

Stimulus Watch

Projects in Indianapolis, IN

http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_city/Indianapolis/IN