Nearly 8,000 people in the Erie-Niagara region were homeless from October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014 according to a report produced by the Homeless Alliance of Western New York.
Monday at 10 a.m. Congressman Brian Higgins announced how local agencies will use $7.775 million in federal funding, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to end homelessness in the region.
.@RepBrianHiggins making announcement now that more than $7 mill will be used to help end homelessness in WNY @WKBW pic.twitter.com/21M0g2Bj4M
— Desiree Wiley (@DesireeWiley) March 14, 2016
The money will support the efforts and services of 15 agencies locally. The agencies receiving the five highest award amounts include the Erie County Department of Mental Health ($2,740,805), Matt Urban Human Services Center ($1,271,879), Homeless Alliance of Western New York ($639,596), Cazenovia Recovery Systems ($550,705) and Spectrum Human Services ($533,816).
For Community Missions of the Niagara Frontier the money their receiving from this grant is special.
"Well it's really overwhelming. It's our first grant in Niagara Falls and in Niagara County for rapid re-housing funds," said Robyn Krueger the executive director of Community Missions of the Niagara Frontier. "It's something that we're excited to be able to add additional funding to and it really just shows the power of partnership."