The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted April 15 to accept $2.65 million in Continuum of Care grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide housing and services to individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.
The funds will provide housing and support services to about 115 people and information and referrals through the Coordinated Entry Program to about 2,000 households.
The Lee County Continuum of Care includes local governments, agencies, advocates and program users who collectively plan and implement programs to serve individuals who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in Lee County.
The Lee County Homeless Coalition and Lee County Human & Veteran Services coordinate this effort, and the county officially submits the grant application as the collaborative applicant. This federal funding has been accepted and used in Lee County since 1995.
The Continuum of Care award provides funding for eight projects:
- Community Assisted and Supported Living, Inc. – $295,872 for Rental Assistance to provide rental subsidies for a minimum of 27 individuals residing in permanent supportive housing who have been homeless for long periods and have a severe and persistent mental illness; effective April 1.
- Community Assisted and Supportive Living, Inc. – $147,984 for Supportive Services to provide case management, other client services and permanent supportive housing for a minimum of 17 individuals who have been homeless for long periods and have a severe and persistent mental illness; effective June 1.
- Community Assisted and Supportive Living, Inc. – $256,946 for Permanent Supportive Housing to provide case management, other client services and permanent supportive housing for a minimum of 11 individuals who have been homeless for long periods and have a severe and persistent mental illness; effective Oct. 1.
- Community Assisted and Supported Living, Inc. – $798,828 for Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) II Permanent Supportive Housing, to provide permanent supportive housing for 16 individuals who have been homeless for long periods and have a severe and persistent mental illness; effective Oct. 1.
- Community Assisted and Supported Living, Inc. – $388,993 for Permanent Supportive Housing Scattered Site Rental Assistance to provide rental subsidies for 14 individuals residing in permanent supportive housing who have been homeless for long periods and have a severe and persistent mental illness; effective Oct. 1.
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice – $356,281 for Domestic Violence Rapid Rehousing to provide rental subsidies and supportive services for about 30 individuals who have experienced domestic violence; effective Oct.1.
- Lee County Human & Veteran Services – $175,850 for Support Services-Coordinated Entry to operate the Coordinated Entry System for Lee County. About 2,000 households experiencing homelessness will be provided information and referrals; effective Oct. 1.
- Lee County Human and Veteran Services – $229,619 for Continuum of Care Planning Grant to support the salary and benefit costs for management staff that will carry out activities that will increase collaboration and enhance project outcomes; effective Oct. 1.
