CLEARFIELD – On Tuesday the Clearfield County Commissioners voted, 2-0, to approve awarding 2016-17 Homeless Assistance grant funding to Cen-Clear Child Services Inc.
Over the last seven years, Clearfield County Human Services has faced reductions of more than 40 percent from the state Department of Human Services, according to Lisa Kovalick, community development specialist.
In particular, the Homeless Assistance Program (HAP) was funded at $26.6 million in the 2008-09. Last year, the commonwealth budgeted $14 million and signed a budget of only $13.5 million, she explained.
She continued, saying, “With the loss of funding over the years and the increase in homelessness or near homelessness, the county is focusing on not only housing families in need, but [also] keeping them housed.”
In March the county advertised request for proposals for the Homeless Assistance Program. Kovalick said that the county is expected to receive $59,200 from the state’s DHS, and it will be used for rental assistance and housing counseling.
“We asked organizations to show how they would intend to help these families work toward self-sufficiency,” she said. Also, they were asked to describe practices to be used to assist families and individuals to maintain permanent housing and how their program would monitor their housing status.
According to Kovalick, the county received two proposals, and both organizations planned to serve 30 households or 70 to 75 individuals. The difference, she said, was in respect to counseling, as Cen-Clear proposed offering case management.
Their strategy, she said, is to “mitigate the effects of homelessness on families and individuals through prevention activities, case management services and housing rental assistance. Helping families and individuals who experience homelessness become self-sufficient and secure permanent living arrangements.”
Kovalick also called attention to the fact that Cen-Clear offered additional funding to assist these families in the amount of $167,635. She subsequently recommended their proposal for approval.
Commissioners Tony Scotto, acting chair, and Mark B. McCracken voted in favor. Commissioner John. A. Sobel left prior to the vote to handle other county business.