The Wake County Board of Commissioners has voted unanimously to appropriate an additional $1.7 million in federal CARES Act funds to help prevent homelessness in the county. This funding will be part of Phase II of the House Wake! strategic plan.
The Housing Affordability and Community Revitalization Department will use these dollars for eviction prevention and to meet the housing and community development needs of low-to- moderate income families impacted by COVID-19.
“This funding will strengthen our commitment to provide critical support for county residents who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness due to the virus,” said Wake County Commissioner Sig Hutchinson. “This effort is part of our long-term goal to move as many people as possible into a secure and stable housing situation.”
Previously, at its May 4 meeting, the board approved $2 million in federal funding for House Wake! to address to the first wave of housing insecurity. These additional funds will continue to support those impacted by COVID-19 hardships such as job loss, wage reduction or illness.
In June, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $2.6 billion in Emergency Solutions Grants to help fund support for homeless Americans and those at risk of becoming homeless due to COVID-19.
Activities authorized include:
- Making more emergency shelters available;
- Providing hotel/motel rooms for homeless families or residents;
- Helping with essential services such as childcare, education services, employment assistance, health and mental health services, legal services and transportation; and
- Preventing homelessness by rapidly rehousing individuals or families.
“We recognize that the enormity of the challenges we face as a community can only be addressed through close collaboration with our partners,” said Lorena McDowell, Wake County Housing Affordability and Community Revitalization director. “Together, we continue to work to ensure that, even in the face of a global pandemic, all Wake County residents have access to and can retain safe, affordable housing.”
About House Wake!
House Wake! is a strategic plan to minimize the effects of COVID-19 on homeless and precariously housed Wake County residents, while maximizing opportunities for positive long-term outcomes.
This plan uses and coordinates federal, state and local funding to address the COVID-19 crisis within our homeless and precariously housed populations. It aims to move the maximum number of people possible to housing stability.
During Phase I of the program, Wake County awarded $5.77 million in funding towards 13 community organizations who provide much needed services to vulnerable populations.
