$2 million in grants to benefit Florida homeless shelters | Community Spirit

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Department of Children and Families Secretary David Wilkins announced more than $2 million in grants that will benefit community homeless shelters throughout the state.

 Secretary Wilkins approved the award of $2.1 million in federal Emergency Shelter Grant funding that will go to 25 homeless shelters. The award money comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “We are pleased to be able to help individuals and families who desperately need assistance and the shelters that provide them a place to stay until they can get back on their feet,” said Secretary Wilkins. “These funds will be going to rural communities with an emphasis on helping families move on to permanent housing.” The awards were made through a competitive bidding process. The top-rated applicants were rated on the following criteria:
 

• Shelter serves counties that are not receiving this federal grant directly from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• The county is designated a rural county by the federal government.
• The county lacks other emergency shelter facilities.
• The shelter has policies and shelter housing space designed to serve families with children so that family members are able to stay together.
• The shelter will create additional bed capacity to serve the homeless.
• The performance of the shelter in assisting residents to move into permanent housing.
• Shelter is an ACCESS community partner.
• The level of unmet need for shelter beds in the homeless planning area.

The 25 recipients will use the funding to operate 42 emergency shelter sites, including 602 emergency beds and 436 transitional beds. This will serve 5,639 individuals by June 30, 2012. The grant funding can be used to support the daily operations of the shelter, including meals and assistance to the homeless, or for repairs and renovations of the facility to ensure it is safe for its residents.