City of Wichita - 2009 Housing Help Program Closes Today
Saturday, February 11, 2012 :: Currently 22 degrees in Wichita
Housing Help Program Closes Today

Date: November 10, 2009
Contact: Mary K. Vaughn
E-mail: MKVaugn@wichita.gov
Phone: (316) 462-3795

 

Applications accepted at 2-1-1 through 5 p.m.

Overwhelming response to the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) will force the closing of the application process at 5 p.m. today, City of Wichita officials announced this afternoon.

The program which will provide housing for the homeless or people who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless received well over 200 calls on Monday, the day the program opened. Other communities have experienced similar responses when their respective programs began taking applications, said Mary K. Vaughn, Director of the City’s Housing and Community Services Department.

People who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless can call 2-1-1 through 5:00 pm today for an initial screening. Following the screening, applicants will be referred to an appropriate agency to complete the formal application process. Funds are limited for the assistance, which may extend to a maximum of 18 months per household. The application process will re-open if funds remain after the initial requests for assistance.

Starting Wednesday, Catholic Charities, Inc. – Diocese of Wichita and United Way of the Plains, will being processing the preliminary applications. Catholic Charities will focus on the Rapid Re-Housing component, assisting people who are staying in emergency shelters or living on the streets. The goal is to help them obtain and maintain housing through financial assistance and housing related support services. United Way of the Plains will assist applicants who are at imminent risk of homelessness through sub-contracts with area service providers who are in their Homeless Prevention Network. It will offer financial assistance and support services to help participants maintain existing housing or relocate to more affordable housing.

HPRP, which is not a mortgage assistance program, is funded from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. About $1.5 billion was provided nationwide to fund HPRP programs. The City of Wichita received $1,168,490 to provide the services and for program oversight and reporting. For more information regarding ARRA funds, go to www.wichita.gov and click on ARRA Act of 2009 under City Spotlight.

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Community Relations
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Wichita, KS 67202

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