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December 11, 2007
Somerville Homeless Providers Awarded $1.9 Million By HUD
Funds Will Provide Services to Over 500 Local Families; Programs Focus on Permanent and Transitional Housing
SOMERVILLE – Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that fifteen programs, administered by seven organizations, serving Somerville’s homeless population have been awarded a combined total of $1.9 million by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the McKinney Continuum of Care awards. The total funds are significantly more than the $1.4 million received in the previous round of funding. “This funding will play an integral role in our long-term mission to end homelessness through more effective outreach efforts and by providing permanent housing to our homeless population,” said Mayor Curtatone. “I’m grateful that HUD has recognized the value of the services provided by these organizations and the potential of new programs such as Stepping Stones to make a real impact.” "We here at Shelter are thrilled that the Stepping Stones Program has received this grant money," said Gordie Calkins, Program Manager for Shelter Inc., "We will use the funds to provide Case Management and Permanent Supported Housing to medically needy homeless individuals. Working with other organizations and the City of Somerville, we are making concrete progress on ending homelessness in this city." The programs funded by this grant will provide services to over 500 Somerville families and individuals. Of the fifteen programs, only the Stepping Stones program administered by Shelter, Inc. is a first-time recipient. The new program provides permanent housing and ongoing services to individuals with a prior history of chronic homelessness. The organizations that received renewed funding are the Somerville Homeless Coalition, Wayside Youth and Family Support Network, Inc., Just-A-Start Corporation, Catholic Charitable Bureau of the Archdiocese of Boston, Inc., Transition House and CASPAR, Inc. The Somerville Homeless Providers Group worked with the city to apply for the grant on behalf of all seven organizations. The Somerville Homeless Providers Group represents 18 local organizations providing services to the homeless population.
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