MONTGOMERY — In the spirit of helping the homeless, including victims of domestic violence, two Tennessee Valley cities and three nonprofit agencies will share $1.3 million in grant assistance.
The money is part of some $2.6 million to assist Alabamians who are homeless or in jeopardy of becoming homeless, Gov. Kay Ivey announced today.
The funds from the Emergency Solutions Grants program will assist local governments and nonprofit agencies in providing housing and other related services to homeless people or people facing homelessness, including those who are domestic violence victims and must flee their homes because of the threat of violence to them or their children, according to Ivey’s office.
The grants were awarded to 12 municipalities or non-profit agencies within Alabama. In most cases, municipal governments contract with agencies specifically created to help homeless people, victims of violence or those who face temporary situations in which they lose their place of residence.
“Emergency Solutions Grants are in many cases that last bit of rope from which those who are facing tough situations can pull themselves up to safety and go on to rebuild their lives,” Ivey said. “I commend local governments and regional organizations for their participation in a program that truly helps people in a critical time in their lives.”
Those awarded grants are:
- City of Florence – $350,000
The city, working with numerous non-profit agencies, will provide emergency shelter and rapid rehousing assistance to victims of domestic violence and others in dire need in Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties. Partners in the program include the Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama, MOM’s Inc. and the Salvation Army of the Shoals. - City of Huntsville – $300,000
The city will provide street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing to homeless persons and victims of domestic violence in Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties. Assisting agencies include AshaKiran, Community Action Partnership, Crisis Services Center, Family Services Center Inc. First Stop, Hands Across Decatur, New Futures, North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless and the Salvation Army. - The Marshall County Home Place Inc. – $40,000
The organization will provide emergency shelter to homeless families in Marshall County. - Victim Services of Cullman Inc. – $90,000
Victim Services, serving Cullman County, will provide emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence and their children. - United Way of East Central Alabama – $250,000
The United Way will provide emergency shelter and homeless prevention to persons in Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb and Etowah counties.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development made the funding available and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants.
“ADECA is pleased to be a partner in a program that gives people a helping hand and ensures they have a roof over their heads, particularly as we near the holiday season,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in commending the organizations whose work is so crucial to helping people facing tremendous challenges in their lives.”
ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our email newsletter to have all our smart stories delivered to your inbox.
