Governor Rell: State Getting Nearly

$1.2 Million in Stimulus Aid for Homeless

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state is receiving nearly $1.2 million in immediate federal stimulus aid to help feed, shelter and provide services to homeless people all across Connecticut.

            The grants, given under the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), total $1,183,411. The grants include:

• Fairfield County / Bridgeport Census Area: $123,816
• Fairfield County / Danbury Census Area: $37,683
• Fairfield County / Norwalk Census Area: $45,758
• Hartford County: $307,798
• New Haven County: $310,654
• New London County: $90,657
• Statewide: $205,137

            “These funds will provide much-needed help to people who are suffering the very worst effects of this national economic downturn,” Governor Rell. “Many families across our state are struggling – and some have simply been overwhelmed. For those whose lives have been turned upside down by this recession, here is some measure of comfort.

            “My Administration remains focused on getting every penny of stimulus aid into the community and working to create jobs and revitalize our economy as rapidly as possible,” the Governor said. “I will not be satisfied until we have created many more jobs than we have lost and placed our state on a firm footing for economic prosperity in the future.”

            EFSP grant funds are used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies. The program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

            At the national level, the program is overseen by a board chaired by FEMA and comprised of the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Salvation Army; United Jewish Communities; and United Way of America.

            Under the rules of the program, local communities receiving grants must form similar local boards, with a local government official replacing FEMA as chair and local representatives of the national board agencies sitting as members. When officials of the national board agencies are not available they should be replaced with other appropriate boards or individuals, according to program guidelines.

            Jurisdictions within or containing a federally recognized Native American reservation must include a representative of the tribe on their local board.

            Local boards must also include a homeless person, a formerly homeless person or a former recipient of program services. Local boards are also encouraged to include organizations representing or serving “special emphasis” groups such as the elderly, families with children, veterans and the mentally and physically disabled.