A Contra Costa County homelessness prevention organization will be awarded $700,000 for targeted assistance to homeless and at-risk veteran families, according to a Wednesday press release.
The money will be used by Shelter Inc, based in Martinez, to provide outreach, case management and assistance in applying for VA and general benefits. Part of the money will also be used in assisting veterans and their families with rent and deposit payments.
The award is a portion of nearly $60 million granted to 85 non-profit agencies that aim to assist veteran families nationwide. The national grant will serve 22,000 veteran families, according to a VA press release.
Out of Contra Costa County's 467 homeless veterans, 88 were in Concord in 2010, according to information provided by Shelter, Inc's director of development, Cynthia Dial.
"This likely undercounts given that there are individuals whose data are not in the [county-wide self-report]," said Dial.
*The report and information Dial referred to are: the county-wide self report, titled, Homeless Management Information System and the Veteran Supplement to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress.
