(Fayetteville, N.C. July 27, 2009) – The City’s Community Development Department has been awarded $589,648 in stimulus funds for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program. The assistance will be used to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless and to help the homeless quickly re-house and stabilize.

“These stimulus funds will provide great assistance to our homeless population and those in danger of becoming homeless,” said Victor Sharpe, City Community Development director. “This helps people get back on their feet and make progress towards a better standard of living.”

A portion of the funds will be awarded to selected organizations to provide financial assistance, housing relocation and stabilization services, data collection and evaluation and administrative costs.

Financial assistance includes short-term rental assistance for three months, medium-term rental assistance for four to 18 months, security deposits, utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance and motel and hotel vouchers. Motel and hotel vouchers are good for up to 30 days if subsequent housing has been identified but is not immediately available and no appropriate shelter beds are available.

Housing search and placement and credit repair are a part of the relocation and stabilization services.

To be eligible for assistance, individuals and households must be at or below 50 percent of area median income.

Organizations interested in providing services can submit a proposal for consideration by picking up an application packet from the Community Development Department, located on the third floor of City Hall at 433 Hay Street. Applications are also online at www.ci.fayetteville.nc.us by clicking on City Departments, Community Development, Homelessness, the Request for Proposal link and the attachment at the bottom of the screen. The deadline for receipt of applications is July 31.

For additional information, please contact the Community Development Department at 433-1590.

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