Oregon seeking $7.8 million stimulus infusion for rural homelessness

Salem, OR – April 29, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Oregon is applying for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars to prevent homelessness and re-house homeless persons outside Oregon’s major metropolitan areas.

The state is seeking public comment on its proposal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for $7,873,436 under the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP).

This program is newly instituted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Not included in this application are Oregon entitlement areas: Portland, Clackamas County, Washington County, Salem and Eugene.

Oregon Housing and Community Services, the state’s housing finance agency and community services program administrator, will submit its HPRP plan to HUD on May 18. HUD requires the plan to include activities designed to provide homelessness assistance to households that otherwise would become homeless and provide assistance to rapidly re-house persons who are homeless.

“These are critical dollars that will address the growing tragedy of homelessness in rural Oregon,” Victor Merced, director, Oregon Housing and Community Services, said. “This stimulus money is vital in giving a needed hand to the growing numbers of homeless people in our state – many of them families and children – and to help prevent the plight from getting worse, especially in our small towns.”

Portland reported an 11 percent homelessness increase in 2008 over 2007. Statewide figures are expected soon.

The proposal is available on the OHCS Web site, http://www.ohcs.oregon.gov/OHCS/HRS_Consolidated_Plan_5yearplan.shtml or by contacting: Rainy Gauvain, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite B, Salem, OR 97301, rainy.gauvain (at) hcs.state.or (dot) us, Fax 503-983-2020.

HPRP regulation requires a comment period of 12 calendar days. Written, faxed or e-mailed comments may be submitted to the above address at any time prior to 5 p.m., May 11. Hearing-impaired individuals may use a TTY by calling 1–800–735–2900. Persons needing copies in other languages should request them at their earliest convenience.

Contacts:
Rainy Gauvain, 503-986-6702, rainy.gauvain (at) hcs.state.or (dot) us
Loren Shultz, 503-9862008, loren.shultz (at) state.or (dot) us
Floyd Smith, 503-986-6747, floyd.smith (at) state.or (dot) us