| Washington, DC – Congressman Bill Shuster is pleased to announce that Franklin County has received a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development totaling $283,766.00 to provide permanent housing for homeless residents throughout the County.
The grant is a part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s ongoing Continuum of Care program to provide permanent and transitional housing to homeless persons. In addition, Continuum grants fund important services including job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care.
“This is great news for the people of Franklin County. This grant will make a positive impact on the lives of families and individuals who are working towards a better life,” Shuster said. “The money provided in the Continuum of Care Program is crucial in assisting Franklin County in their efforts to improve the lives of men, women, and children who are looking for a way out of poverty. They should be congratulated on their work being recognized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.”
The goal of the three year project is for the County to establish permanent housing and support services to provide homeless individuals the resources and abilities to support themselves. Individuals in the program will be served in 10 apartment sites throughout Franklin and Fulton Counties. The program will prioritize helping homeless adult men and women who suffer from revolving homelessness and a mental illness.
“The Franklin County Commissioners and Franklin County Human Services Division have established housing as a high priority. When you first meet people’s basic needs through housing, their other needs can then also begin to be addressed. Through this HUD grant opportunity, we are very pleased that we can help people in our local communities,” said Alecha Sanbower, program planner for the Franklin County Human Services Division.
“The homeless must not become invisible or marginalized,” said Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. “Our response tells us much about our humanity as a people and a nation. When our fellow citizens literally need shelter from the storm, or a meal, or counseling, or help to regain their footing in life, we must be there to respond.” |
