Continuum of Care grant providing positive impact in planning to reduce homelessness in St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- City officials and local organizations are strengthening coordination in their push to secure federal funds to help reduce homelessness in St. Joseph.
City Councilmembers approved a pair of resolutions in October to authorize consulting services with two organizations as part of the Continuum of Care Planning Grant, Homebase and United Way of Greater St. Joseph.
Grant funds worth just over $99,000 will be provided for the two organizations to help secure independent contractors to serve as coordinators to assist the City in submitting HUD funding availability applications.
City of St. Joseph Community Development Manager Mary Kay Griffin explained of how the resolutions provide aid.
"The Continuum of Care Planning Grant is strictly used for planning activities," Griffin said. "The City won't be providing additional services, rather we contract with two subcontractors in United Way and Homebase. Having the monthly meetings helps facilitate materials for the homeless providers."
In the planning meetings, United Way primarily handles the local issues observed with the homeless population while Homebase provides assistance in applying for funding from HUD and bringing perspective on other communities facing similar issues on a larger scale.
"The work that happens through the planning grant and in coordination with Homebase, the City (of St. Joseph and United Way has worked well the last couple of years in terms of meeting the deadlines and coordinating," United Way President Kylee Strough said. "The meetings help perform tasks in a timely fashion and provide communication with multiple partners delivering direct programs and services."
Strough also emphasized that while the meetings don't solve homelessness, contributions by multiple groups are being made to shorten the time individuals experience homelessness and eventually provide stability to get them back on their feet.
