NeighborImpact receives $500,000 HUD grant

Dozens of families fighting poverty and homelessness in Central Oregon will continue to receive housing, thanks to a $507,804 grant from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department.

NeighborImpact’s transitional housing program was one of 18 projects in Oregon to receive funding as part of the second round of HUD’s Continuum of Care program.

NeighborImpact, a 21 Cares for Kids partner, currently houses around 60 formerly homeless families utilizing these funds and some are participants in the family reunification program.

The program is a partnership with the Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Division, which reunites families whose barrier to regaining custody of their children is a lack of housing—housing made possible with a rental subsidy provided through this program.

“The families we serve have virtually no other options and we support them as they stabilize and get back on their feet,” explains Mary Marson, Associate Director of Housing Stabilization for NeighborImpact. “Anything we can do to create opportunities for families to reach their potential strengthens our community as a whole.”

Participants may remain in the program and receive a rent subsidy for a minimum of one year while working towards economic sustainability.

The three main focus areas of the program are: obtaining and maintaining permanent housing, increasing income, and improving job skills through training and education.

Households participate in a case management plan and meet with a case manager on a scheduled basis.

To be eligible for consideration applicants must be homeless, have children under 18, and meet program income guidelines.

Along with transitional housing, NeighborImpact operates a family shelter, Nancy’s House, which provides temporary housing to homeless families with children.

For more information on the Continuum of Care Program, visit: https://www.onecpd.info/coc