Mayor DePeña Gets $3M Grant, Designs HOME ARP Plan to Help the Homeless

07-23

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña has announced the City of Lawrence has been approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington D.C. and Boston for the HOME ARP Plan with the grant award of $3,174,052 Million for the City of Lawrence.

These funds are possible through the Federal American Rescue Plan (ARP), and Mayor DePeña’s initiatives to assist individuals or households who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations, by providing housing, rental assistance, supportive services, and non-congregate shelter, to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability across the country.

HOME-AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN PROGRAM

Eligible Populations – HOME-ARP funds must be used to primarily benefit individuals or families from the following qualifying populations:

• Homeless, as defined in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a));

• At-risk of homelessness, as defined in section 401(1) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360(1));

• Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, as defined by the Secretary;

• In other populations where providing supportive services or assistance under section 212(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12742(a)) would prevent the family’s homelessness or would serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability;

• Veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meets one of the preceding criteria.
HOME-ARP Funds (5% for administration and planning) $158,702.60

HOME-ARP Remaining Funds (95% of allocation) $3,015,349.40

HOME-ARP Award $3,174,052.00

Eligible Activities – HOME-ARP funds can be used for four eligible activities.

• Production or Preservation of Affordable Housing

• Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)

• Supportive Services, including services defined at 24 CFR 578.53(e), homeless prevention services, and housing counseling.

• Purchase and Development of Non-Congregate Shelter. These structures can remain in use as non-congregate shelters or can be converted to: 1) emergency shelter under the Emergency Solutions Grant program; 2) permanent housing under the Continuum of Care; or 3) affordable housing under the HOME Program.

For more information contact: Néstor Castillo, Communications Director

(978) 771-9773

nestor.castillo@cityoflawrence.com
Awilda Pimentel, Department of Community Development, 12 Methuen St. Lawrence, MA 01840
awilda.pimentel@cityoflawrence.com