(ESCAMBIA, COUNTY) --- Escambia County receives $698,025 in Challenge Grant funding this year to help people who are homeless or at risk of losing their housing. The money comes from the state and is managed locally to fund programs that help people get into housing and stay there.
The Challenge Grant is state money given to local communities to address homelessness. Instead of the state running programs directly, the funding goes through local organizations.
In Florida, the Department of Children and Families sends the money to the local Continuum of Care. In Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, that organization is Opening Doors Northwest Florida. Opening Doors then provides funding to other nonprofits and service providers in the area.
(Photo Credit: odnwfl.org)
For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the "Challenge Unsheltered" portion of the grant totaled $393,192.22. The budget was allocated as follows:
Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment: $117,957.66
Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing Operations: $117,957.66
Acquisition and Renovation of Non-Congregate Shelters: $117,957.66
Administrative Costs: $39,319.24
Each of the 3 program areas received 30% of the funding. Administrative costs were capped at 10%, which is the maximum allowed under state law.
For the current year, the total Challenge Grant allocation available is $698,025. The funds are split into 2 main categories.
Housing Help: $440,000
This pays for rent assistance, emergency hotel rooms, and shelter operations. Programs using these funds must serve at least 8 people per month.
Program And Direct Services: $258,025.06
This covers the cost to run programs like street outreach, case management, transportation help, and other support to keep people housed. Programs using these funds must serve at least 18 people per month combined.
(Photo Credit: odnwfl.org)
Organizations receiving funds must meet several requirements. They must provide a 25% match through cash or in-kind contributions. No more than 10% of the total grant can be used for administrative costs. All payments are made on a cost-reimbursement basis, meaning organizations spend the money first and then submit documentation for repayment. Projects are also required to track participants in a statewide database.
Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofit organizations, housing providers, and collaborative partnerships that serve Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.
This year, organizations receiving Challenge Grant funds must collectively serve at least 26 people per month.
The funding is part of a larger state effort to address homelessness through local control.
To add any information, or to share a tip please contact me at pepper.w@lead4earth.org
0
1
Comments