Governor Rell: $10.8M in Stimulus Funds To Boost Homelessness Prevention Efforts

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that a state housing program aimed at reducing homelessness, by providing assistance for rent, utility bills and relocation costs, is expected to get a boost of more than $10 million in federal stimulus funds.

 “The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program is a vital safety net for families and individuals in need.  In these economic times, it is even more essential,” Governor Rell said. “Like many safety net programs over the past several months, this one is experiencing an increase in people asking for help and these federal funds will keep the roof over their heads.”

A similar state homelessness prevention program served just over 200 people last year.  The Governor said the infusion of federal dollars will allow the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) to help more than 1,000 people a year over the life of the stimulus grant, which must be spent within three years.

The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) offers a comprehensive range of services, including rental assistance, security deposits, utility deposits and utility bill payments, moving cost assistance, motel or hotel vouchers, housing relocation and stabilization services including outreach, housing search, legal services and credit repair.

The Governor said the stimulus funds will be administered by the Department of Social Services, which will contract program services through competitive bidding. The DSS is issuing its request for proposals on May 28.

Connecticut included public comment in its application for the stimulus funds, which are granted through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Public hearings on the homelessness prevention program were held May 6-8, and a 12-day comment period allowed for input from those unable to attend the hearings.

 For more information on the homelessness prevention plan, visit the state’s official stimulus Web site at www.ct.gov and click on the CT Recovery link. The plan is also available on the “latest news” section of the DECD Web site at www.decd.org.

To view the request for proposal: http://www.das.state.ct.us/rfpdoc/DSS10/bids/rfp%20hprp%205-28-09%20final.pdf

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