Contacts: Janice Clark, 202-842-8600, ext. 131, janice@ruralhome.org
Darren Favello, 202-842-8600 ext. 127. darren@ruralhome.org

Hac Grants To Increase Capabilities Of Rural Homeless Service Organizations

Washington, August 19, 2009 — Seventeen nonprofit organizations based in rural towns and counties around the country have been awarded capacity building grants from the Housing Assistance Council that will improve their abilities to meet homelessness needs in their communities. (A list of the awardees is below.)

“Local organizations are best situated to solve local problems,” noted Moises Loza, the Housing Assistance Council’s executive director, “so HAC is helping to build their capacity to address their homelessness issues. These grant recipients are participating in a HAC program funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Compassion Capital Fund.”

In order to more effectively serve the needs of homeless people in rural communities, shelter providers must also build and maintain financially strong, well-managed organizations. HAC has created the Rural Homelessness Capacity Building initiative to provide rural homeless organizations with the technical assistance, training, information, and financial resources they need to improve their ability to serve homeless populations.

Grantees will receive up to $15,000 to support their capacity building efforts. Grants will be used for various purposes depending on the recipient’s organizational capacity needs. This year (the second year in a three year program) capacity building activities include purchasing computer equipment and website development, training for board and staff, strategic planning, and creating a new nonprofit to serve an underserved area. In addition to the grant money, HAC will also provide ongoing technical assistance and training to awardees.

A national nonprofit corporation headquartered in Washington, D.C., and founded in 1971, the Housing Assistance Council publishes numerous reports, program manuals, and other materials on rural housing topics. HAC helps local organizations build and preserve affordable homes in rural America by providing below-market financing, technical assistance, research, training, and information services. HAC’s programs focus on local solutions, empowerment of the poor, reduced dependency, and self-help strategies. HAC is an equal opportunity lender. More information is available at www.ruralhome.org.

• Big Bend Homeless Coalition, Inc., FL
• Brother Charlie Rescue Center, Inc., GA
• Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency, OK
• Cirrus House, Inc., NE
• Hope Haven Ministries, Inc., TN
• Liberty Center of Sandusky County, OH
• Morgan-Scott Project, TN
• Native American Community Board, SD
• Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission, OH
• Ripley County Family Resource Center, MO
• Serenity Pointe, TN
• St. Johnsbury Area Youth Service Bureau, VT
• Starting Point’s 1st Street Armoury, IL
• The Well at Chattooga, Inc., GA
• Watertown Area Homes of Hope, SD
• West Tennessee Housing Resource Network, Inc. , TN
• Women’s Shelter of South Texas, TX