(SuperNOFA) grant competition.
The SuperNOFA is an annual process and the grant award to the County of Orange, with OC Community Services (OCCS) as the lead agency, is a direct result of the County’s partnership with cities and homeless service organizations to address the issue of homelessness in Orange County.
This collaborative effort is part of a regional plan aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness. According to Orange County’s 2009 Point in Time Count and Survey, 21,479 residents experience homelessness throughout the course of one year.
This grant funding is needed to keep local homeless assistance programs operating and will help 36 programs in the County to continue to offer critically needed housing and services to homeless persons and families.
For the first time ever, HUD is quickly providing these renewal grants to local programs to prevent any interruption in federal assistance and will announce funding to new projects in early 2010.
“Orange County is being recognized by the federal government for our regional approach to help move families and individuals out of homelessness and into self-sufficiency,” stated Karen Roper, Director of OC Community Services. “In this present time of budgetary constraints, the $11 million will ensure that we continue to care for our residents most in need.”
OC Community Services, OC Partnership, and the Continuum of Care Leadership Cabinet coordinated the 2009 Continuum of Care.
The $11 million grant award will provide transitional shelter and supportive services for families and individuals as well as permanent supportive housing for the disabled and special needs homeless populations. The County of Orange has received $121.9 million since 1996 in the Continuum of Care SuperNOFA Homeless Assistance grant competition.
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