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Most of $3.5M for homeless to go for permanent housing
YOUNGSTOWN — The majority of the $3.5 million in federal money received this year by the Mahoning County Homeless Continuum of Care will be spent on providing permanent housing for homeless residents.
The Continuum of Care is funded with $1.6 million in stimulus money received by Youngstown and $1.9 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, said Erin Bishop, Continuum coordinator.
The organization met Wednesday to update member agencies and to wrap up this year’s Cold Weather Emergency Shelter Program.
Bishop said plans and projects are being evaluated, and allocations will be made to member agencies.
Projects funded with stimulus money will be submitted to the Youngstown Community Development Agency for final approval, she added.
“We should be proud that we have a commitment in the Mahoning Valley to end homelessness. I don’t think any of us would be here if we didn’t think we could solve the problem, but it will take a lot of money,” said Mayor Jay Williams.
Douglas Shelby of HUD’s Cleveland office praised the Continuum of Care for the work it has done.
“You have a functioning organization that is funded, and you have a 10-year plan. A good plan is half the battle, and I see bright days ahead for the Mahoning Valley. We are your partner and intend to be in the future,” he said.
Bishop said a count in March found 184 homeless people in the county — 178 in shelters and six without shelter.
The good news is that the number without shelter fell from 17 in 2007 and 11 in 2008, Bishop said.
The 2008-09 Cold Weather Emergency Shelter Program, which provides shelter at the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley from December through March, reported 5,026 bed stays, a 6 percent increase over 2007-08. Women accounted for 24 percent of the stays; children, 14 percent; and men, 62 percent.
alcorn@vindy.com