Bridges to Housing’s Regional Steering Committee met in December 2009 to recommend funding awards for the four metro area counties that are part of this groundbreaking effort to re-design services and housing for high need homeless families. Because of the demonstrated impact of the program, the four participating counties have shown remarkable dedication and commitment to the Bridges to Housing approach. As private funding for the program tapers off, counties are working to ensure that the program remains part of the continuum of services that assists the homeless in their communities.
The Regional Steering Committee and the Neighborhood Partnerships Board approved the following grants:
Clackamas County will serve an additional seven families in Phase III of Bridges to Housing. Case management services will be provided by Clackamas County Social Services and families will be placed in scattered site, private market rental units throughout Clackamas County. Clackamas County Social Services received $121,973 for their project, of which $13,473 will be used to provide rent subsidies for Bridges to Housing families.
Clark County will serve an additional thirty clients in this next phase of Bridges to Housing. Case management services will be provided by Share, and families will be placed in housing provided by Vancouver Housing Authority. Share is receiving $205,337 for their project, of which $100,837 will be used to provide rent subsidies for Bridges to Housing families.
Multnomah County will have 139 units of housing for Bridges to Housing families available in 2010-2011. Services for this housing will be provided by Human Solutions, Impact Northwest, Central City Concern and El Programa Hispano. From Bridges to Housing, these agencies will receive $232,500 to serve families. Housing is provided by a variety of agencies. In order to help housing providers meet uncompensated costs associated with serving this difficult-to-house population, Multnomah County is receiving $167,272 for housing costs.
Washington County will serve fifteen new families in Phase III of Bridges to Housing. Case management services will be provided by Community Action of Washington County. Families will be placed in housing provided by Community Partners for Affordable Housing, Bienestar, and Washington County Housing Authority. Community Action is receiving $144,918 for their project, of which $40,418 will be used to provide rent subsidies for Bridges to Housing families.
We’re all looking forward to the next evaluation report on this remarkable collaborative effort. It will be available in March of 2010. Previous evaluation reports and more about the program can be found here.