Huntsville City Council approves $25,000 for First Stop homeless center

HUNTSVILLE – First Stop, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the homeless in Madison County, received $25,000 from the city of Huntsville.

First Stop originally was awarded $75,000 last year from Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) funds through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. First Stop was one of eight nonprofit agencies the money was targeted. The money distribution was approved by the city council last March.

The Huntsville City Council approved a resolution at its meeting Thursday authorizing Mayor Tommy Battle for a modification to an agreement between Huntsville and First Stop for the HESG funds. There is no cost to the city.

That brought the total to $100,000 First Stop received from the original grant. It was earlier reported that First Stop was getting an additional $100,000, but that is the total with the recent $25,000 added to the previous sum.

“I believe another agency was unable to use these funds so the City of Huntsville allocated them to us,” said Jennifer Geist, executive director of First Stop.

While a hard count of the homeless population is not available, estimates last March pegged the number between 500 and 600.

Through private donations, First Stop recently christened its renovated facility at 206 Stokes Street. First Stop is a day center providing meals, physical and mental health aid and guidance and assistance in obtaining sustainable housing for Huntsville’s homeless community.

Staff also provide aid to the homeless on the street.