FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release Date: January 27, 2003

Contact:

 Steve Rector
Public Affairs Director
208-331-4725
Reed Hollinshead
Media & Public Relations Officer
208-331-4858

$2.26 Million Federal Grant to Benefit Idaho’s Homeless

BOISE - Idaho’s homeless will benefit from federal grant monies in excess of $2.26 million to be distributed by the Idaho Housing and Finance Association in 2003. The grant is part of a U.S.-record $1.1 billion for homeless assistance nationwide, the largest such grant in the nation’s history. It renews efforts to focus more resources on providing permanent housing and supportive services to the homeless, including those persons who are mentally ill, addicted or physically disabled.

The grants, part of IHFA's Continuum of Care and Emergency Shelter Grant programs, will help the homeless find emergency shelter, transitional housing and a permanent home.
The grant is divided into two main categories:

  • Continuum of Care grants provide transitional and permanent housing opportunities. In addition, Continuum grants fund supportive services including job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, child care and living skills training.

  • Emergency Shelter Grants help convert buildings into homeless shelters, assist the operations of shelters and fund related social services and homeless prevention activities.

The IHFA was awarded $2,261,853 for numerous projects in Idaho. These include:

  1. Administering Agency – Idaho Housing and Finance Association
    Project Description - Shelter Plus Care Vouchers for persons with disabilities.
    Location - Statewide
    Amount - $430,020



  2. Administering Agency – YMCA of Lewiston/Clarkston
    Project Description – Will be used to lease apartment units for families needing transitional housing.
    Location – Lewiston/Clarkston
    Amount - $95,747



  3. Administering Agency – C.L.U.B., Incorporated
    Project Description - Will be used for renewal of their 1999 Transitional Housing Grant, which will allow them to continue supportive services and operations in their leased units in Eastern Idaho. Location – Idaho Falls
    Amount - $82,363



  4. Administering Agency – Valley Crisis Women’s Center
    Project Description - Will be used for renewal of their 1996 Transitional Housing Grant, which will allow them to continue supportive services and operations in Canyon County.
    Location - Nampa
    Amount - $85,037



  5. Administering Agency – South Central Community Action Agency
    Project Description – Will be used for renewal of their 1996 Transitional Housing Grant, which will allow them to continue supportive services and operations in their leased units in Twin Falls.
    Location – Twin Falls
    Amount - $73,925



  6. Administering Agency – St. Vincent de Paul
    Project Description - Will be used for renewal of their 1997 Transitional Housing Grant, which will allow them to continue supportive services and operations in their North Idaho units.
    Location – Coeur d’Alene
    Amount - $187,929



  7. Administering Agency – Idaho Housing and Finance Association
    Project Description – Will be used to implement a new statewide homeless tracking system, the HMIS (Homeless Management Information System).
    Location – Statewide
    Amount - $72,502



  8. Administering Agency – Aid for Friends
    Project Description - Will be used for renewal of their 1999 Transitional Housing Grant, which will allow them to continue supportive services and operations in their 10 Eastern Idaho units.
    Location - Pocatello
    Amount - $174,308



  9. Administering Agency – St. Vincent de Paul
    Project – Will be used for renewal of their 1997 Transitional Housing Grant, which will allow them to continue supportive services and operations in their North Idaho complex (the Kamps Apartments)
    Location – Post Falls
    Amount - $41,577



  10. Administering Agency – I.D.A.H.O., Incorporated
    Project Description – Will be used for renewal of their 1999 transitional Housing Grant, which will allow them to continue supportive services and operations in their 11 Canyon County units.
    Location - Caldwell
    Amount - $88,989



  11. Administering Agency – Bonner County Homeless Task Force
    Project Description – Will be used for renewal of their 1999 Transitional Housing Grant, which will allow them to continue supportive services and operations in their eight North Idaho units.
    Location – Hope, ID
    Amount - $96,967



  12. Administering Agency – Eastern Idaho Special Services Agency
    Project Description – Will be used in conjunction with groups already existing homeless housing
    Location – Idaho Falls
    Amount - $96,495



  13. Administering Agency – Idaho Legal Aid Services
    Project Description – A continuation of their 1996 grant, this grant offers legal assistance and case management to homeless persons in Canyon County.
    Location – Nampa/Caldwell
    Amount - $66,990



  14. Administering Agency - Aid for Friends
    Project Description – Will be used for renewal of the Homeless Clearinghouse for Eastern Idaho, a computer-based system, used by four service organizations, to track homeless clients.
    Location – Pocatello
    Amount - $60,076



  15. Administering Agency – Idaho Housing and Finance Association
    Project Description - Shelter Plus Care Vouchers for persons with disabilities.
    Location - Region 6 (Eastern Idaho)
    Amount - $40,740



  16. Administering Agency – Idaho Housing and Finance Association
    Project Description - Shelter Plus Care Vouchers for persons with disabilities.
    Location – Region 1 (Northern Idaho)
    Amount - $85,116



  17. Administering Agency – Idaho Housing and Finance Association
    Project Description - Shelter Plus Care Vouchers for persons with disabilities.
    Location – Region 6 (Eastern Idaho)
    Amount - $57,052

The $2.26 million is part of $1.1 billion commitment by the Bush Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), earmarked for homeless assistance. More than 740,000 people nationwide are estimated to benefit from the initiative.

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The Idaho Housing and Finance Association, a financial services and housing organization, provides funding for affordable housing in Idaho communities where they are most needed and when it is economically feasible. IHFA uses no state funds or state employees to support its operations. For more information, visit our Web site at www.ihfa.org.