The need for emergency shelters for the homeless grows every day.
The numbers of homeless people in America are rising. According to statistics published by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, approximately 250,000 members of the population in families are homeless. There are 50,000 young people (age 18 and under) who will live on the streets for six months or more. The need for emergency shelters and assistance for these indigent people grows higher every day. Thankfully, help is available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Emergency Shelter Grants program.
Renovation, Rehabilitation or Conversion
Grants are available for renovation of existing buildings into emergency shelters.
Emergency Shelter Grants for Renovation, Rehabilitation or Conversion projects are divided into two categories applicable to already existing buildings. Major renovation is when the cost of repair of the building in question is 75 percent or more of the appraised value. Standard renovation is when repairs are less than 75 percent of the building value. For major renovation projects, the building must be used for an emergency shelter for at least 10 years. Standard renovation has a three-year requirement.
Essential Services
State and local governments may request funding for assistance of essential services needed by the homeless.
Essential Services grants are available for assistance with rehabilitation and necessary requirements of the homeless. Types of services supported by these monies include drug rehabilitation programs, employment training and placement, permanent housing assistance and salaries for shelter employees. The maximum funding for this type of grant is limited to 30 percent of the total amount of monetary support already being received by the state or local government requesting assistance.
Homeless Prevention Activities
State and local governments can request grant assistance for Homeless Prevention Activities to help in preventing eviction proceedings of families in their area. Monies can be used to prevent foreclosure on a home, legal counsel with regard to eviction, assistance to move into an apartment if eviction is imminent or to cover overdue utility bills. Money is not given to individuals, but is paid to the service provider or mortgage/landowner to whom the debt is owed.
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