INDIANAPOLIS — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development awarded just over $7.2 million to renew support of programs aimed at assisting the homeless in Indianapolis. HUD’s Continuum of Care grants support local programs that provide assistance and resources to people in our community who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes.
“What's wonderful about this funding is it literally helps us bring people from homelessness into housing. People that we would otherwise not be able to help and would have to turn away,” said Alan Witchey, President and CEO of Damien Center.
Damien Center will receive a portion of the funding, $449,676. Witchey says they help provide housing to around 500 people every year, and this funding will allow them to help at least 50 additional families.
"We have people that come in everyday that we aren't able to help because the funding will only go so far. So this will help us, so we don’t have to turn those people away,” said Witchey.
Damien Center staff help provide resources and will use the funding specifically for housing needs. "We help create that stability and sometimes that's a one-time financial support to keep them housed and sometimes it's an ongoing support throughout the year,” said Witchey.
"It renews existing projects particularly around rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing,” said Chelsea Haring-Cozzi, Executive Director of the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP).
CHIP will also receive a portion of funding to help them continue assisting community partners with permanent housing solutions.
