GRANT SUCCESS FOR LOCAL NON PROFITS AND PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY
El Dorado Opportunity Knocks leverages federal funding
(PLACERVILLE, CA) – El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency today announced that three federal grants have been awarded to two local organizations related to homelessness.
Only Kindness, a local non-profit provider and partner in the County's Continuum of Care program called El Dorado Opportunity Knocks (EDOK), was notified it will receive $273,001 from the federal Emergency Solutions Grant program. Additionally, the County received two separate awards for housing vouchers under a competitive grant process.
"We're delighted to announce these grants and the help that they will provide to those who truly need it," said Deputy Director, Daniel Del Monte. "None of these grants would have been possible without El Dorado Opportunity Knocks' improved technical assistance, data quality and overall approach to federal compliance."
The Emergency Solutions Grant funding will be used to enhance street outreach to connect with homeless individuals, and pay for Rapid Rehousing, a program that provides first month's rent, deposit and temporary rental assistance to house homeless residents.
"We are very grateful for the technical assistance provided by EDOK and their consultant, HomeBase, to help improve our competitiveness to bring federal funds into the community," said Rene Evans, former President of Only Kindness. "We are competing for these grants with Continuums of Care across California and the United States. The financial support for EDOK from the cities of Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, the County, and hospitals has been a game changer for our organization and, as a result, homeless residents in need," said Evans.
Funding will be awarded to Only Kindness in 2020.
The County's Public Housing Authority received the two other awards for housing vouchers through grant competitions. One award was for 25 Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers (VASH), which provide rent and supportive services for homeless veterans. The other award is for 10 Mainstream vouchers, targeting adults between age 18 and 62 who have a qualifying disability and are at risk of institutionalization. Only 24 Mainstream Voucher awards were made in California.
The federal government relies on data provided through local Continuums of Care, primarily the bi-annual Point-in-Time Count and data from the local Homeless Management Information System, when considering VASH and Mainstream vouchers.
"Despite the Housing Authority being considered 'high-performing' by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, the program was never able to compete at this level for grants before EDOK improved its performance," Del Monte said. "The combination of tireless efforts by my Housing Authority staff, commitment from EDOK's board and many partners, and our jurisdictions and hospitals paying for technical assistance is what ultimately will provide a pathway to house more disabled residents and local homeless veterans who dedicate their lives for our country," he added.
EDOK is implemented on the local level to combat homelessness through developing a system of grant funded services. Additional state and federal grant funding may become available to EDOK over the coming 12 months. In the meantime, EDOK has begun developing a five-year strategic plan to impact homelessness through its partnerships with local non-profits, faith based groups, health care organizations, and government agencies. As the process unfolds in the coming weeks, or to find out more about EDOK, more information can be found on EDOK's website www.edokcoc.org
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