The recipients of those grants were announced last week and a total of $2.2 billion in grants were awarded, during the 2019 fiscal year, to nearly 6,593 programs across the country. The amount awarded in Ohio reflects an increase of nearly $3.3 million from the amount awarded last year, according to a news release from HUD.
MORE: Downtown Springfield hotel, popular with business travelers, sold
The City of Springfield received a renewal grant of $151,951 for the Springfield Shelter Plus Care 1 program and a renewal grant of $33,940 for the Springfield St. Vincent DePaul. The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Springfield received a renewal of $230,8811 for permanent housing with supportive services and $22,426 for the Saint Vincent House. Project Woman of Springfield and Clark County received a renewal grant of $85,743 for Reigns of Renewal.
“Local agencies across Ohio have worked diligently to end homelessness resulting in nearly a 17.7% reduction in overall homelessness since 2010,” said Joseph P. Galvan, the HUD Midwest Regional Administrator, in the news. “We hope to keep the momentum going and are here to support agencies in their tireless efforts to end homelessness as we know it.”
HUD Continuum of Care grant funding supports a broad array of interventions designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those living in places not meant for habitation, located in sheltering programs, or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
MORE: Springfield Chamber hopes to ramp up workforce development for 2020
HUD's 2019 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress found that 567,715 persons experienced homelessness on a single night in 2019, an increase of 2.7% since 2018. However, it is a decrease of nearly 11% since 2010. The number of families with children experiencing homelessness declined 5% from 2018 and more than 32% since 2010, according to HUD's recent assessment.
“A safe, affordable place to call home is key when creating a path toward opportunity and self-sufficiency,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson during an announcement in Ohio. “The grants awarded today help our partners on the ground to reduce homelessness in their communities and help our most vulnerable neighbors.”
About the Author