Southwest Missouri entities share in $23M in HUD grants

U.S. Sen. Kit Bond last week announced more than $23 million in federal funds to entities helping the homeless throughout Missouri, and several area groups are in line to receive grants.

The funds are being released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through its Continuum of Care grants program, which provides permanent and transitional housing to the homeless and funds support services such as job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care.

Among the recipients:

• Springfield-based The Kitchen Inc. received two grants totaling $476,700;

• The Housing Authority of Springfield received $117,912;

• and Church Army Inc. received $68,906 for the Cambridge Project in Branson.

Several Joplin entities also received funds, including $64,088 to the Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area to provide permanent housing for people with disabilities and $63,000 to the Family Self Help Center Inc.

This is the first time HUD has provided renewal grants to local programs to prevent interruption in federal assistance, according to a news release from Bond's office.

 "While significant progress has been made on addressing the tragedy of homelessness, the economic downturn and housing foreclosure crisis have forced more and more families with children onto the streets seeking help," Bond said in the release. "Combined with the generosity of volunteers and private donations, these critical funds provide hope to our most vulnerable citizens that they will be able to overcome the harsh realities of homelessness during this holiday season."[[In-content Ad]]