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$3.9 Million Grant To Aid Hillsborough's Homeless

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By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: February 21, 2009

TAMPA - A $3.9 million federal grant has been awarded 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 Nuckles, head of the Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County, said in a written statement. "Until there are new dollars available ... our community will not be able to increase services to meet the growing demand."

Based on a count of the homeless in 2007, 1,500 of the estimated 9,500 residents who are homeless will find shelter at any time. Gaps also exist in services to help the homeless with shelter, identification, transportation, health care and legal assistance.

In 2007, the groups, known as the Tampa/Hillsborough Continuum, got $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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