Two Pocatello Homeless Providers Awarded $55,078 in 1997 ESG Funds

POCATELLO - Two Pocatello organizations providing services to the homeless were awarded a total of $55,078 in 1997 federal Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds. The funds are administered in Idaho by the Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) in conjunction with the Idaho Homeless Coordination Network. Bannock Youth Foundation received $19,644 in federal homeless assistance funds. Aid for Friends received $19,887 and Freedom LZ received $15,547. All three organizations serve Pocatello's homeless population.

IHFA allocated a total of $289,752 in 1997 ESG funds to 15 organizations located in each of Idaho's seven regions. The funds are allocated to homeless service providers based on an annual competitive application process.

"This program does more than help hundreds of homeless families and individuals get out of the cold for a night or two," said Rod Beck, IHFA executive director. "ESG funding will help many families learn marketable skills towards a goal of long-term self-sufficiency." Successful applicants may use the 1997 funds for homeless prevention activities, rehabilitation, operating expenses and/or essential services, according to Beck.

Other homeless service providers that received ESG funding include:

Region 1
St. Vincent de Paul, Coeur d'Alene $20,395
Bonner County Homeless Task Force, Sandpoint $20,226

Region 2
Sojourner's Alliance, Moscow $20,175
Community Action Agency, Lewiston $19,378
Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse, Moscow $20,268
YWCA of Lewiston, Lewiston $19,378

Region 3
Valley Crisis Center, Nampa $20,421
The Salvation Army, Nampa $19,107

Region 4
South Central Community Action Agency, Twin Falls $17,937

Region 5
Bannock Youth Foundation, Pocatello $19,644
Aid for Friends, Pocatello $19,887
Freedom LZ, Pocatello $15,547

Region 6
Eastern Idaho Special Services Agency, Idaho Falls $18,090

Ada County
Community House, Boise $20,226
Helping Hand, Inc., Boise $19,073

Each year, ESG funds are available as part of the federal Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Organizations eligible to apply for grant funds include local units of government, private nonprofit organizations and Native American Tribes.

IHFA is an independent public body, corporate and politic, providing funding for affordable housing opportunities in Idaho communities where they are most needed. IHFA must generate all revenue necessary to cover its operation costs. It does this by earning fees for work performed and uses no state funds or state employees. IHFA's main office is located at 565 West Myrtle in Boise, Idaho, with five branch offices throughout the state in Twin Falls, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, Lewiston and Coeur d'Alene.