IL- Kane County's homeless programs get $1.3 million

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2-24-2009 Illinois:

Kane County will get an infusion of nearly $1.3 million this year -- about $15,000 more than requested -- to help 11 initiatives that assist the homeless, or those at risk of becoming homeless.

Formed in 1999, the Kane County Continuum of Care, operated out of the county's development department, has sent nearly $10 million in federal dollars toward local homelessness programs. This latest round is part of $1.6 billion in homelessness assistance announced through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development this month.

Aurora's Public Action to Deliver Shelter will get $362,423 -- about $2,300 more than requested -- to operate both its transitional living center at Hesed House and its Light-House permanent housing program. Light-House has been given enough money to expand to nine clients, and offers rental housing and case management for the chronically homeless.

Lazarus House in St. Charles will receive $86,748, up about $1,000 from its request, to run both its transitional and permanent housing programs. The permanent program helps three chronically homeless people with rental housing and case management.

The Ecker Center in Elgin runs two permanent housing programs, helping 20 people a year with rental housing and mental health services. Ecker Center works with homeless with mental illnesses, and will receive $338,232 -- an increase of $7,128 from its request -- this year.

Elgin's Community Crisis Center will get $96,635 (up more than $1,500) to operate its transitional housing services and case management for up to 16 households. The Larkin Center in Elgin will get $300,375 (an increase of more than $3,000 from its request) to provide permanent support housing, also for those with mental illness.

Kane County's development department received $109,853 to operate the county-wide Homeless Management Information System.

Will County has its own Continuum of Care, and will receive more than $2.9 million to continue operating six programs, including Daybreak Center and several housing initiatives.

With the signing last week of the $787 billion stimulus package, HUD informed recipients that more money could be on the way to help the homeless. ..News Source.. by ANDRE SALLES