More than $1 million in Recovery Act funds awarded to local non-profits

Vancouver, WA – Clark County’s Department of Community Services has awarded $1,008,200 to area non-profits through funding received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Funding is targeted at homelessness prevention, housing, education, emergency and employment programs aimed at reducing homelessness.

ARRA funding sources include Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing ($530,000) and Community Services Block Grant ($478,200) funds.

The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing funds, a one-time, 3-year allocation, were awarded to the following agencies: Share, Salvation Army, and Janus Youth Programs.

Share ASPIRE STEPS (Stability and Eviction Prevention Services) program will identify and engage clients to emphasize homelessness prevention, personalized support, tenant education, and improved employment. Through case management and supportive services, Share will be able to serve 141 people.

The Salvation Army “Moving Forward Together” program will target homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. Case management and supportive services, with an emphasis on life skills, will increase opportunities for housing stability. The program works collaboratively with Partners in Careers, Washington State Extension Office, WorkSource, Vancouver Housing Authority, and Second Step Housing. The program will serve 96 individuals.

Janus Youth’s “Progressive Access to Housing” (PATH) program is designed to break the cycle of homelessness for older youth and youth families in Clark County.

PATH will work with youth, including youth exiting foster care or other institutional settings to rapidly obtain stable housing. Rental assistance, case management and connecting to community resources will allow the youth to stay engaged in school, jobs and other community activities. The PATH program will serve 34 youth.

The CSBG/ARRA funding, a one time, one year allocation, will be targeted in three areas: employment, capacity building and emergency services. The following programs were selected for funding:

Columbia River Mental Health’s Clearview Employment Program, will provide employment support to area shelters. They will provide assistance with preparing for and obtaining employment, training and educational assistance. They will serve 40 people.

Partners in Careers, The Veteran Women Program (VWP), will assist women veterans by providing job training, placement, mentoring and connection to community services such as health and child care. The program will serve 150 veterans.

Community Housing Resource Center’s “Foreclosure Prevention Counseling Services” will provide critically needed mortgage default prevention counseling to homeowners at risk of losing their home.

The Salvation Army received funding for expanding their homelessness prevention services through rental assistance for those at risk of losing their homes. They will serve 80 people with rental assistance.

Vancouver School District received funding to support two family resource centers at Fruit Valley Elementary and Washington Elementary Schools.

Volunteer Lawyers Program’s “Housing Justice Project”, is a pilot project with Community Mediation Services. The program will assist low-income people to maintain housing when at risk of eviction and possible homelessness.

Janus Youth Program’s funding for Oak Grove youth shelter will assist youth in crisis to return to a safe and stable living situation.

The Share Backpack Program will expand its backpack program providing food packs to an additional 1,850 elementary school children.