MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $2.6 million to assist Alabamians who are homeless or in jeopardy of becoming homeless.
The funds from the Emergency Solutions Grants program will assist local governments and nonprofit agencies in providing housing and other related services to homeless people or people facing homelessness, including those who are domestic violence victims and must flee their homes because of the threat of violence to them or their children.
The grants were awarded to 12 municipalities or non-profit agencies within Alabama. In most cases, municipal governments contract with agencies specifically created to help homeless people, victims of violence or those who face temporary situations in which they lose their place of residence.
“Emergency Solutions Grants are in many cases that last bit of rope from which those who are facing tough situations can pull themselves up to safety and go on to rebuild their lives,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend local governments and regional organizations for their participation in a program that truly helps people in a critical time in their lives.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
“ADECA is pleased to be a partner in a program that gives people a helping hand and ensures they have a roof over their heads, particularly as we near the holiday season,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in commending the organizations whose work is so crucial to helping people facing tremendous challenges in their lives.”
Those awarded grants are:
- City of Florence – $350,000
The city, working with numerous non-profit agencies, will provide emergency shelter and rapid rehousing assistance to victims of domestic violence and others in dire need in Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties. Partners in the program include the Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama, MOM’s Inc. and the Salvation Army of the Shoals.
- City of Huntsville – $300,000
The city will provide street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing to homeless persons and victims of domestic violence in Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties. Assisting agencies include AshaKiran, Community Action Partnership, Crisis Services Center, Family Services Center Inc. First Stop, Hands Across Decatur, New Futures, North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless and the Salvation Army.
- The Marshall County Home Place Inc. – $40,000
The organization will provide emergency shelter to homeless families in Marshall County.
- Victim Services of Cullman Inc. – $90,000
Victim Services, serving Cullman County, will provide emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence and their children.
- United Way of East Central Alabama – $250,000
The United Way will provide emergency shelter and homeless prevention to persons in Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb and Etowah counties.
- YWCA of Central Alabama – $300,000
The organization will provide emergency shelter, rapid rehousing and prevent homelessness for domestic violence victims and their children in Jefferson, Blount and St. Clair counties.
- 2nd Chance – $150,000
The Anniston-based organization will provide emergency shelter and rapid rehousing assistance to domestic violence victims in Calhoun, Cleburne, Etowah and Talladega counties.
- City of Tuscaloosa – $220,000
The city will contract with several organizations to provide street outreach, emergency shelter, homeless prevention for people, including domestic violence victims within the city. The city is working with The Salvation Army, SAN Inc. (Turning Point) and Temporary Emergency Services Inc.
- Shelby County Commission – $174,342
The Shelby County Commission will contract with Family Connection Inc., SafeHouse of Shelby County Inc. and Shelby Emergency Assistance to provide emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing to homeless persons or people at risk of not have a shelter in Shelby County.
- Montgomery Area Family Violence Program – $60,000
The program, also called the Family Sunshine Center, will use funds to provide emergency shelter for victims and their children living in Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Chilton, Elmore and Lowndes counties.
- The Salvation Army – $350,000
The Salvation Army will provide emergency shelter for homeless families in Baldwin, Mobile and Washington counties.
- Southeast Alabama Coalition for the Homeless – $375,000
Teaming with the House of Ruth, the Southeast Alabama Coalition for the Homeless will provide street outreach, homeless prevention, and rapid rehousing for people in Coffee, Dale, Henry, Houston and Geneva counties.
-30-
Media
Jim Plott or Mike Presley
ADECA Communications and External Affairs
(334) 242-5525
