(Warwick, R.I.) - Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (RI-01) and Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02) announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $975,846 to Rhode Island to help feed and shelter the state’s hungry and homeless.  Since 1991, Rhode Island has received $8.25 million in Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding. 
The funding is authorized by Congress as part of the National Board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) to support social service agencies across the country.  EFSP grant funds are used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies. 

"This funding comes at a critical time.  Rhode Island’s homeless shelters and social service organizations are seeing unprecedented demand for shelter and other assistance programs.  These funds will help ensure these vital services are available for those who are most vulnerable,” said Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy.  
 
“In the face of serious cutbacks, this funding is welcomed news for our homeless shelters and social service agencies, which are already stretched thin in this economy,” said Congressman Jim Langevin. “This allocation will be used to make sure Rhode Island’s families have the resources they need to get back on their feet.”

The EFSP began in 1983 with a $50 million federal appropriation to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people throughout the United States and its territories by allocating federal funds for the provision of food and shelter.  The EFSP, appropriated annually under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, provides supplemental funds to over 12,000 agencies for the prevention of homelessness and the provision of other food and shelter services.

Program funds can be used to provide the following services:
•        Food, in the form of served meals or groceries
•        Lodging in a mass shelter or hotel
•        One month's rent, mortgage, and/or utility bill payment
•        Transportation costs associated with the provision of food or shelter
•        Minimal repairs to mass feeding or sheltering facilities for building code violations or for handicapped accessibility
•        Supplies and equipment necessary to feed or shelter people

-30-