Prairie View has received $1.66 million from the Kansas Housing Resources Corp. to serve homeless and at-risk families and people in central Kansas.
The funds are part of the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Prairie View will serve as the regional processing center for 22 counties throughout central Kansas.
Those applying for funds must meet certain requirements.
Applicants must be at or below 50 percent of the area median income for their area and be homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless.
“Case managers at the local level will refer applicants through points of contact at their community mental health center,” said Brad Schmidt, director of adult residential services. “The application will be submitted to us, and we will approve the application and process the request, or deny it if it doesn't meet the eligibility requirements.”
Prairie View is one of three community mental-health centers that collaborated on separate grants to provide statewide coverage.
While the main intent for the grant is to serve Kansans with mental and behavioral health needs, participation may be offered to eligible applicants who lack a Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program resource in their area.
“Applicants must be able to identify and participate in a plan of self-sufficiency,” Schmidt said. “This isn’t long-term assistance. The program will provide immediate, short-term assistance with rent, utilities and other housing resources. Participants will need to do their part in order to receive assistance.”
Prairie View has tentative plans to begin taking applications on Nov 16.
For more information, call 284-6439 and ask about the HPRP program
