$1.04M grants to aid region’s homeless

U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon announced Monday that programs helping homeless citizens in Terrebonne, Lafourche, Assumption, St. Charles, St. James, St. John and St. Mary parishes will receive $1.04 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The grants are funded through HUD Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance programs, aimed at providing assistance to homeless persons through transitional housing, permanent housing and a variety of supportive services.

“These federal grants will support programs in south Louisiana that lend a helping had to some of our most vulnerable neighbors: those who find themselves without a safe place to call home,” said Melancon. “I am pleased these programs, which all have proven records of success, will receive additional support in their work to help the homeless find permanent residences.”

The organizations in Louisiana that received the grants are part of the Supportive Housing Program section of Continuum of Care. The funds are awarded in an annual national competition.

Programs in the Tri-parish region that received grants are: Gulf Coast Teaching Family Services, Inc. ($405,226); Gulf Coast Teaching Family Services, Inc. “Network” program ($100,153); Visions 1 ($134,350) and Visions 2 ($170,723); Start Corporation ($497,221); Start Corporations “Fresh Start” program ($224,584); Starting Over ($111,447); Safe Start Supportive Housing program ($161,190); St. Mary Community Action Association, Inc. ($136,158).

“I thank the people behind these organizations for their tireless dedication to serving our citizens who are most down on their luck—especially those who are veterans, victims of domestic violence or who have disabilities or mental illnesses,” said Melancon. “I applaud their efforts to help the homeless in our communities find a secure place to live so they can get back on their feet.”