Prince William County is anticipating nearly $4.4 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development in fiscal 2010 for local housing and homelessness prevention programs.
Nearly $2 million of the anticipated funds would go toward the Community Block Grant Program, which develops housing primarily for citizens with low to moderate incomes.
The county, which has been ravaged by foreclosures during the housing crisis, has rolled out a number of programs in recent months to deal with the issue. In March the department introduced the Foreclosure Rehabilitation Assistance Program, which sells foreclosed homes at discounts in targeted areas of the county.
Prince Williams supervisors last week passed a fiscal 2010 consolidated housing and community action plan. The multiyear consolidated plan, along with the action plan, provide guidance for issues related to homelessness, housing, special populations and community development goals in the county.
Frances Harris heads the Dumfries-based Action in Community Through Service, which works to fight hunger and homelessness in the area. She said the organization has been overwhelmed during the recession.
“We’re turning away an average of 150 people a month,” she said. “There’s never enough [beds], for the people that are homeless, to have a place to stay.”
Board Chairman Corey Stewart said the county has had to think outside the box in providing relief during the downturn.
“There are a lot of people in distress out there, but there’s only a limited amount of federal and state assistance,” he said.
MONEY ON THE WAY
Anticipated funds for Pr. William Dept. of Housing and Comm. Development:
» Community Development Block Grant Allocation: $1,901,742
» Estimated CDBG Program Income: $376,190
» HOME Investment Partnership Allocation: $760,966
» Estimated Home Program Income: $1,250,000
» American Dream Downpayment Initiative: $7,578
» Emergency Shelter Grant Allocation: $84,593
Total: $4,381,069
Source: Prince William County Government
