Salt Lake City Homeless Programs Get $1.6 Million in Federal Stimulus

08.11.2009 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) More than $1.6 million in federal stimulus money will be awarded to homeless programs in Salt Lake City. LuAnn Clark, Salt Lake City director of housing and neighborhood development, says the money is coming at a perfect time to help the city’s growing homeless population.

“With the economy as bad as it is, this is going to be an opportunity to really help people and families who we don’t have the resources to help now, who are in need of this kind of assistance,” Clark says. “So, it’s very exciting for Salt Lake City.”

Five organizations applied for the funds. Mayor Ralph Becker’s staff has recommended giving the bulk of the money to two organizations: The Road Home, for housing the homeless, and the Salt Lake Community Action Program, to help families who are one step away from being on the streets.

Salt Lake Community Action Program Housing Director Sharon Abegglen says the idea was to make two one-stop-shops for those in need, rather than doling out the money evenly to all the organizations that applied for the grant.

“We’ve been doing homeless prevention activities for the last 20 years. And not that we’re better than anyone else but we’ve been doing it so long, we’ve worked out all the kinks,” Abegglen says. “And again, it’s not so much the money, but the family is stable so that you can work with them to move them forward.”

If approved, Abegglen says the $820,000 grant would allow the organization to help an unprecedented 1,000 families. It would help pay for rent, utilities and workforce training so families in crisis can stay in their homes. The city council will hold a public hearing today on the grants. and will decide next week which organizations will receive the money.