El Paso, Jan 7, 2010 - Congressman Silvestre Reyes today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will award over $2,544,944 in competitive federal grants to several El Paso non-profit organizations to combat homelessness.  The funds are part of the Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Assistance Program, which provides a range of assistance to homeless individuals and families, including transitional housing, permanent housing, and a variety of other support services.

“With the economic recession, many non-profit organizations that provide much-needed services to the community are struggling financially, and these federal funds will help prevent cuts in services and staff,” Congressman Reyes said.  “The non-profits receiving these grant funds help hundreds of people in El Paso every year, and I applaud the staff of each of these organizations for their hard work and service to our community."

The grant funding will support transitional and permanent supportive housing for the homeless, as well as essential supportive services like transportation, mental health treatment, childcare, assistance with obtaining mainstream benefits like food stamps, and veterans health care, and disability benefits

The programs under the CoC include the Supportive Housing Program, Shelter Plus Care Program, and Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation program for single room occupancy dwellings for homeless individuals.

The list of grant awards for El Paso is provided below:

Center Against Family Violence – Learn to Live: Transitional Center 1 – $49,597
Center Against Family Violence – Learn to Live: Transitional Center 2 – $33,332

Centro San Vicente – Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for the Homeless - $139,999

El Paso Coalition for the Homeless – Homeless Management Information System – $107,902

El Paso Mental Health Mental Retardation – Houseless Outreach Clinic – $203,982
El Paso Mental Health Mental Retardation – HUD Supportive Housing – $176,761

Rescue Mission of El Paso – Relapse Prevention Program – $46,796

La Posada Home, Inc. – $89,026
La Posada Home, Inc. – La Posada TLC – $53,544

Opportunity Center for the Homeless – Homeless Women in Transition – $171,920
Opportunity Center for the Homeless – Homeless Youth Initiative – $108,551
Opportunity Center for the Homeless – Magoffin Ave. Safe Haven – $250,734
Opportunity Center for the Homeless – Mental Health Initiative – $161,091
Opportunity Center for the Homeless – Supportive Services – $115,136
Opportunity Center for the Homeless – Transportation Project – $78,721
Opportunity Center for the Homeless – Veterans Transitional Living Center – $132,870

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc. - Legal Clinic for the Homeless - $124,908

YWCA El Paso del Norte Region – Mi Casa Homeless Child Development Center – $229,728
YWCA El Paso del Norte Region – Transitional Living Center – $270,616

Total - $2,544,944
 
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