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Feds Grant $3.9 Million for Hillsborough Homeless Services

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By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 20, 2009

A $3.9 million federal grant was awarded Thursday to provide housing and social services for Hillsborough County's estimated 9,500 homeless people.

The grant, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will go toward 22 programs operated by nine organizations. The money will be used for emergency, transitional and permanent housing for the homeless, as well as mental health services, substance abuse treatment, case management and employment services for homeless men, women and children.

"These dollars are renewal funds, meaning they will allow these programs to continue their current level of service," Rayme L. Nuckles, chief executive officer of the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County, said in a news release. "Until there are new dollars available - either from government or private sector services - our community will not be able to increase services to meet the growing demand."

Based on a 2007 homeless count, just 1,500 of the estimated 9,500 residents who are homeless will find shelter at any given time. Gaps also exist in services to help homeless people obtain proper shelter, identification, transportation, healthcare and legal assistance to get their lives back on track.

In 2007, the groups, known as the Tampa/Hillsborough Continuum, received $3.6 million in federal money for renewal programs. A list of all HUD Continuum of Care Awards can be found at www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/homeless/budget/2008/index....

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

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