KY- Agencies that aid the city's homeless will receive $6.4 million in federal funds

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2-24-2009 Kentucky:

Agencies that aid the city's homeless will receive $6.4 million in federal funds for housing programs, mental health efforts and other services.

The annual grants, announced last week by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, mark the fourth consecutive year of record grants for Louisville.

"It's extremely important because it literally funds the lion's share of our shelter system, and we have a number of permanent housing projects in this for the homeless," said Mary Frances Schafer of the Coalition for the Homeless, an advocacy group in charge of the city's grant application.

Metro government will use the largest pool of money -- $1.1 million -- to provide rental assistance for homeless persons with drug and alcohol problems and mental illnesses.

Several new projects are funded in the latest round of grants, including a $555,400 joint program between the Kentucky Housing Corp. and the St. John Center that will help find stable housing for the chronically homeless.

Local agencies asked for $6.3 million but received more because rents have increased since the application was filed, said Schafer, the coalition's director of community coordination.

Nationwide, homeless programs stand to receive $1.416 billion.

The grants also come amid fears that rising unemployment may lead to a spike in homelessness.

The coalition's annual one-night count in January 2008 found 2,700 homeless -- an 82 percent jump since 2005. Results from this year's census, conducted last week, are not yet known, Schafer said.

..News Source.. by Marcus Green