Credit: mymcm

A $4.8 million grant and 30 stability vouchers from the federal government will be used to curb homelessness in Montgomery County.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the funding as part of its Continuum of Care grants program. That department previously awarded the county $10 million annually, and Executive Marc Elrich’s proposed budget includes $84 million for homeless prevention.

“Montgomery County is all-in to end homelessness,” Elrich said in a news release. “With the pursuit of these grant funds, we are showing that we will be aggressive in competing for any funding that can assist in fulfilling our ambitious goals. We thank our federal partners at HUD for these funds, which combined with money in our proposed operating budget, will go a long way to putting us on a strong path forward.”

Added U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-8), “These vouchers show our commitment to providing the resources needed to help people find and maintain permanent housing. This funding will help our local leaders address our shared priority of expanding access to housing and ending homelessness.”

The money will be spent in several ways. Some of it will go for planning funds for an environmental scan of unsheltered homelessness. It will include data on service delivery and interviews with individuals living on the street.

Funds also will go to Bethesda Cares, Mary’s Center and the Coordinating Center for the County to expand street outreach services and add 42 permanent supportive housing units.

Six Critical Time Intervention positions will be created to provide support to individuals experiencing street homelessness.

“This federal funding to help solve homelessness will go a long way in Montgomery County,” said U.S. Rep. David Trone (MD-6). “Working together on the local, state and federal levels, we are helping folks get back on their feet and taking care of those in the shadows of life – all while making our communities healthier and safer in the long run.”