Federal Grants to Help the Homeless
Federal grants for the homeless are provided to states and local governments to dole out to the community. Leaders of nonprofit agencies can look on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's website to see how much funding was provided to their state or county. The local agency will have a application process for to apply for a grant to help the homeless. Most homeless grants help individuals and families obtain supportive services, in addition to housing, that ensures they can maintain an independent lifestyle.
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Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program
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The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program was implemented under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The program helps secure housing for homeless families and those in danger of becoming homeless due to eviction or foreclosure. To qualify for help, the family's income cannot exceed 50 percent of the area's median income. The grant can be used to pay for a security deposit, utility fees, a moving van and other moving expenses. The family can also receive temporary help with paying the rent. Motel vouchers for up to 30 days can be issued while the family transitions to permanent housing.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
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The Department of Veterans Affairs funds the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program. Veteran families at-risk of becoming homeless are eligible to apply for help to pay for rent, a security deposit, utility fees and other moving expenses. To qualify for help, the veteran must be the head of household and the family's income cannot exceed 50 percent of the area median income. The program also provides help for day care services, housing counseling and transportation.
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Single Room Occupancy
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A Single Room Occupancy is a unit with a bathroom, a kitchen or both. Landlords who put $3,000 in remodeling to convert their property to SRO units are eligible to receive a rental subsidy for up to 10 years for their tenants. The tenant is responsible for paying 30 percent of any income toward the rent. The Department of Housing and Urban Development pays the remaining portion to the landlord. The SRO must house a homeless individual for the owner to receive a rental subsidy.
Emergency Shelter Grant
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HUD provides Emergency Shelter Grants to states and local governments to administer to community-based organizations and nonprofit agencies for homeless shelter programs. The grant money can be used to pay the operational costs of running the emergency homeless shelter. The funds can also be used to rehabilitate a homeless shelter or pay for supportive services, such as substance abuse counseling and mental health treatment. Grantees must match the emergency shelter grant dollar-for-dollar with their own money.
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References
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Homelessness Resource Exchange: HPRP 101
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Single Room Occupancy Program (SRO)
- U.S. Departmentof Housing and Urban Development: Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) Program
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program
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