Stanislaus County agencies that help homeless receive $2.6 million

MODESTO -- Stanislaus County agencies that help the homeless have been awarded nearly $2.6 million in federal grants, part of the $1.5 billion the Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded this week nationwide.

All of the grants renew programs and are part of HUD's Continuum of Care. Later this year, HUD expects to announce more Continuum of Care grants for new homeless programs.

HUD requires social service providers that help the homeless to form what it calls a continuum of care in their counties to apply for certain homeless grants. In Stanislaus County, the continuum is called the Stanislaus Housing & Support Services Collaborative.

Funding for one local program was not renewed. Turning Point Community Programs in Modesto had been expecting roughly $300,000. Turning Point officials say they have a call in to HUD to determine why the grant was not renewed.

Other programs received slightly more or less funding than expected. Continuum officials have spoken with HUD and expect an explanation within weeks, said Maryn Pitt, the continuum's president-elect and a Turlock city official.

The nearly $2.6 million included $100,905 for The Salvation Army's Berberian Transitional Housing Program.

The army has been operating the 20-bed transitional housing program from its homeless shelter at Ninth and D streets since 2009. A case manager works with those in the transitional program for up to 24 months, helping them make the jump from homelessness to permanent housing.

The homeless can get help in such areas as improving their job skills, applying for work, gaining life skills and applying for benefits if they are disabled and cannot work, said Debra Qualls, grant writer and administrator for The Salvation Army's Modesto Citadel Corps.

Other local programs that had their funding renewed include:

• Pathways: $122,227

• Shelter Plus Care: $1.1 million

• Halo Apartments, Homes and Housing: $810,900

HUD awarded $243 million to California homeless programs, including $5.1 million to agencies in San Joaquin County and $388,144 to agencies in Merced County.

The Continuum of Care grants fund a variety of programs, from street outreach and assessment programs to transitional and permanent housing for the homeless, according to a HUD news release.

The grants awarded this week and the next round of grants are from the federal government's 2012 budget and are not affected by the federal government's automatic spending cuts, known as sequestration, which began March 1.

Bee staff writer Kevin Valine can be reached at kvaline@modbee.com or (209) 578-2316.