City plans $401,000 in Community Development grants for 13 local agencies, including YWCA, Community Missions

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- More than a dozen social service agencies are set to receive funds from the city’s HUD-funded Community Development Block Grant program this fiscal year. 

Community Missions, YWCA, Bartlett Center, Voices of Courage and nine other social service agencies in St. Joseph will receive a portion of $401,694 in grant funds in fiscal year 2025-26, with several pending City Council approval.

City Councilmembers will vote on three of the contracts at Monday’s City Council meeting, Community Missions (Emergency Shelter -- $100,000), Social Welfare Board (Dental Program -- $66,807) and YWCA ($54,405), while the remaining nine agreement amounts were less than $25,000 and do not require City Council approval.

Funds are allocated according to funding requests submitted by agencies that provide services to low- and moderate-income residents of St. Joseph. 

Additional agencies awarded grants include Voices of Courage, Social Welfare Board, United Cerebral Palsy and Sisters of Solace, among others.  

Community Development Block Grant awards include: 

• *Community Missions Emergency Shelter: $100,000

• Community Missions Corp -- Juda House: $20,486

• Bartlett Center: $18,869

• The Center, a Samaritan Center -- Client Assistance Program: $20,486

• Voices of Courage Children’s Advocacy Center: $20,486

• *Social Welfare Board -- Dental Care Program: $66,807

• United Cerebral Palsy -- Community Integration: $12,399

• *YWCA -- Shelter for Abused and Homeless Women: $54,405

• Pivotal Point Transitional Housing -- Transitional Housing for Homeless: $24,536

• AFL-CIO Community Services: $12,399

• Second Harvest Community Food Bank -- Senior Nutrition Boxes: $20,486

• Sisters of Solace: $13,039

• Youth Alliance: $17,296

*Pending City Council approval

The City receives an entitlement of CDBG funds each year from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help support the program, and is allowed to spend 19.8% of the budget on public service activities.

Agencies are required to submit supporting documentation of services provided and expenses for reimbursement. City staff verify that all expenses are eligible before payments are processed.