Homeless center receives $22,000 in federal grant money
Chad Washington
The City of Opelousas received $22,600 from the Louisiana Housing Corporation, who distributed $1.4 million in federal grants to 17 municipalities in the state.
The LHC claims that the allocation of funds is a very competitive process. "Local governments apply annually for these grants which are awarded through a competitive process," executive director Fredrick Tombar III said. "The funds will enable municipalities to improve the lives of homeless individuals across Louisiana and will aid in our efforts to eradicate homelessness statewide."
The facility in Opelousas that applied for the funds was the New Life Center — operated by Lafayette Catholic Services — which got the full request of $22,000. There was one other group that applied to the LHC, but that was denied because the group did not meet the scoring threshold.
Laura Balthazar, the chief administrative officer for the city, said that the amount is normal "unless it's for emergency housing, which there is a need for."
Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government got the highest amount in $195,803, followed by the City of Monroe, which got $187,460. East Baton Rouge Parish (which includes the City of Baton Rouge) received $154,500.
In that allotment to Lafayette, Catholic Services of Acadiana got $55,000, Faith House had $50,000 and SMILE also received $50,000. Another allotment of $35,100 went to Acadiana Cares.
The next lowest amounts given out by the LHC was to the City of New Iberia at 30, 900 and the Vernon Parish Police Jury, which was $42,000.