Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Contact: Kurt Larrick 703-228-1775 (voice) 703-228-4611(TTY)
Arlington Awarded Stimulus Funds to Fight Homelessness
- County wins competitive grant from stimulus funds.
- Will be able to help additional 110 households.
- Grant supplements federal funds already awarded to fight homelessness.
Arlington, VA — Arlington County has been awarded $363,600 to prevent households from becoming homeless and to quickly re-house and stabilize those who are homeless. At its meeting today, the Arlington County Board appropriated the grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development -- from federal funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
“Homelessness is and continues to be a very real problem here in Arlington,” said Arlington County Board Chairman Barbara Favola. “This grant will help us help an additional 140 households who are in danger of becoming homeless.”
This two-year competitive grant supplements a previous federal stimulus award of $728,300 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Homelessness Prevention
The goals of Arlington’s Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) are to help families stay in their homes, connect them to resources and benefits, and help them develop a housing stability plan. This grant will enable Arlington County to offer financial aid to about 50 households and case management and outreach to another 90 households.
The Homelessness Prevention Program includes rent subsidies, security deposits, utility deposits and payments, moving costs and emergency lodging. Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) certifies participant eligibility and provides case management to households that receive financial assistance.
Additional case management services are also provided by Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network (A-SPAN), Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless (AACH) and Doorways for Women and Families.
Learn more about the entire spectrum of services and related initiatives at Arlington’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness.
Stimulus funding
Arlington County has been notified of $19.5 million of federal funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that will benefit projects in Arlington. The amount includes funding for infrastructure, transportation, environmental sustainability, law enforcement and Arlington’s social safety net.
Of the $19.5 million, $9.2 million will come to Arlington from competitive and federal formula-based funding to support Arlington programs. Arlington will also benefit from $10.3 million going to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for a long overdue interchange project in Arlington.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
