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Gov. Blagojevich announces $38,000 in Emergency Shelter Grants to support low-income residents in Centralia

Press Release - Wednesday, July 06, 2005

CHICAGO - Continuing his efforts to assist people across Illinois and especially those most often left behind, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced $38,000 in grants to support emergency shelters and non-profits that serve homeless and near-homeless people in Centralia.  The state's support comes through the Emergency Shelter Grant Program, one of the Governor's key initiatives designed to help local communities provide critical assistance to their poor and underserved populations.     
 
"Every night, there are many who go to bed without a warm or dry place to rest, and that's why it's important that we lend a hand, especially when it comes to putting a shelter over a family's head," Gov. Blagojevich said.  "Homeless men and women, and individuals struggling to make a decent living, often get pushed to the fringes in our society, and it is our obligation to nurture these people to a path of financial stability­.  With these grants, we're supporting shelters in Centralia to do that every day."
 
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) administers the Emergency Shelter Grant Program from funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  The support enables community-based organizations to rehabilitate, renovate and operate emergency shelters, as well as provide essential services for the homeless and prevention assistance to those at risk of homelessness.  Funding is available to units of general local government on behalf of not-for-profit organizations and directly to not-for-profit organizations through a competitive grant application process.
 
"Gov. Blagojevich and I believe that our efforts to create greater economic opportunity should begin at the community level.  These grants will help provide essential services to the area's homeless population, and, in doing so, help build a more vibrant place to live and work for this entire community," State Representative Kurt Granberg (D-Centralia) said.
 
Organizations in the area who will receive funding include:
 
            Organization            City            Amount
            P.A.V.E                    Centralia                    $23,000
            Salvation Army                    Centralia                    $15,000
                                                
Program funds may be used to implement one or more of the following activities:
 
  • Rehabilitation, renovation or conversion of buildings for use as emergency shelters;
  • New or expanded essential services provided by the not-for-profit organization in connection with direct services such as job training, substance abuse counseling, health and educational services;
  • Homelessness prevention activities, such as short-term subsidies to help cover the cost of rent and utility expenses, security deposits or first month's rent, or other innovative programs and activities designed to prevent homelessness; and,
  • Operation or maintenance expenses directly related to the emergency shelter.
 
"These grants show Gov. Blagojevich's ongoing investments to make a tangible difference in local communities, and especially helping those struggling to get by.  Homeless shelters and community service providers in Centralia will be able to provide better care for those who are often left behind," DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.

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