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Progress and Resources <br /> The Decatur community has actively and effectively addressed the issue of chronic <br /> homelessness. <br /> Speciai HOME Allocation <br /> In 2004, soon after the federal government tackled chronic homelessness, the City of Decatur <br /> was awarded a competitive $500,000 grant from HUD to develop permanent housing for <br /> chronically homeless individuals. The funds were derived from unexpended HOME funds in <br /> other communities. Only 13 jurisdictions in the country received such awards. <br /> The City, in turn, allocated the funds to the Neighborhood Housing Development <br /> Corporation (NHDC), a successful Community Housing Development Organization <br /> (CHDO). NHDC used a portion of the funds along with a planning grant from the <br /> Corporation for Supportive Housing to develop and submit to the City a Five Year <br /> Supportive Housing Plan for Chronically Homeless Persons. This plan was submitted to the <br /> City in September 2005. <br /> As a result of that plan, NHDC leveraged over $200,000 in capital funding from other <br /> sources to rehabilitate three structures that now house 29 chronically homeless persons: a <br /> seven-bed Safe Haven, an eight-unit apartment building, and a 14-unit SRO (single-room <br /> occupancy project). In partnership with NHDC, Heritage and Dove obtained funds for <br /> supportive service and operations from state and federal sources for these developments. The <br /> Decatur Housing Authority (DHA) contributed Section 8 rental housing subsidies. <br /> Inventory of Resources <br /> Decatur offers a significant number of resources to reach those on the verge of homelessness. <br /> It also has a range of housing options, although severe gaps remain. <br /> Early Identification and Prevention <br /> A number of programs reach out to people at risk of homelessness. Four of the most <br /> prominent programs are described below: <br /> • Decatur Macon County Opportunities Corporation (DMCOC) provides , <br /> emergency funds for utility payments. It also has emergency housing units for ', <br /> families and provides motel vouchers. � <br /> • The Decatur Public Schools Education for Homeless Children and Youth <br /> Program, administered by Project Success, has a variety of assistance available for <br /> families with children enrolled in the public schools. It offers housing vouchers, free <br /> school meals, school supplies, backpacks, clothing, case manageinent and supportive <br /> services. <br /> Rev. 2010/02/19 11 <br />