City Wins Federal Homeless Assistance Funds

Mayor Jon Mitchell announced today that the City of New Bedford has been awarded $2,090,727 in homeless assistance funding by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as part of a competitive grant process under HUD’s Continuum of Care Program.

HUD’s Continuum of Care grants provide critically needed support to local programs that serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The federal department recently announced a total of $2.65 billion in awards to renew and expand support to thousands of local homeless assistance programs across the nation.

New Bedford’s grant funds are awarded through a very competitive national application process, with local application efforts led by the City’s Office of Housing and Community Development. The office coordinates the City’s comprehensive response to homelessness, using a Continuum of Care methodology and working with the local Homeless Service Provider Network.

A Continuum of Care is a community’s plan or strategy to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are in a housing crisis and/or are experiencing homelessness, as they move toward stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency.  The strategy includes action steps to break cycles of homelessness.

HUD grant funding supports an array of interventions for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those living in places not meant for habitation, staying in shelters, or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Each year, HUD funding serves hundreds of people through a coordinated entry system, emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, transitional housing, and permanent housing programs.

“The awarding of this grant highlights the important work that we are doing to address homelessness through the Homeless Service Provider Network,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “I want to thank the more than 50 network stakeholders, community leaders, and organizations who work with the City on a daily basis, without fanfare, to address the complex issue of homelessness in New Bedford. This funding will enable that work to continue and will strengthen our efforts to stabilize the lives of the homeless in our city.”

Patrick Sullivan, director of the City’s Office of Housing and Community Development, said: “The funding received through these grants is essential for people experiencing homelessness. This  very competitive Continuum of Care application requires a high degree of collaboration and coordination with our homeless service providers and partners. Our office works with the Homeless Service Provider Network’s executive committee to ensure that New Bedford puts forth a competitive application, so that New Bedford ‘s most vulnerable populations receive the highest level of services and access to safe, permanent housing.”

The grant funding will support eight local programs, along with data and strategic planning efforts. Funds will be distributed to the following programs and agencies:

 

  • Family Preservation Program (SEMCOA) $ 411,708
  • Welcome Home (Steppingstone) $ 308,815
  • Portico (Catholic Social Services) $ 725,211
  • Step Up (PAACA) $316,917
  • Prism (Catholic Social Services) $ 132,155
  • The Call – Coordinated Entry (Catholic Social Services) $ 50,000
  • Homeless Management Information System $   74,524
  • Planning Grant $   71,397

For more information about the City’s efforts to address homelessness, contact the City of New Bedford’s Office of Housing & Community Development at (508) 979-1500 or visit the Homeless Service Provider Network’s website at www.nbhspn.com.

 

— March 16, 2022