Bath Housing will receive $144,213 in federal funding to issue housing vouchers aimed at helping people with disabilities who are at risk of homelessness or institutionalization find permanent, affordable housing.
“This is a grant we applied for mainstream vouchers which will be essentially housing choice vouchers typically serving disabled households,” said Bath Housing Executive Director Debora Keller.
The awards were issued through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 811 Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program. The program provides funding for housing vouchers to assist people with disabilities who are homeless, transitioning out of an institution, or are at risk of becoming homeless or institutionalized.
The Bath Housing award is part of $98.5 million in awards announced by the department going to 285 public housing authorities across the country. The grants are estimated to help more than 12,000 people find permanent, affordable housing.
The funding awarded to Bath Housing will allow the organization to issue 22 such housing vouchers. In addition to Bath Housing, grants were awarded to Portland Housing Authority, Lewiston Housing Authority, The Housing Authority of the City of Westbrook, Augusta Housing Authority and The Maine State Housing Authority.
“Maine’s housing authorities provide many important services to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income individuals and families,” Sen. Susan Collins said in a news release. “As the Chairman of the Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, I am committed to ensuring that the housing needs of vulnerable individuals and families are met. By supporting public housing agencies, these grants will help connect Mainers with the resources they need to achieve economic independence.”
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson announced the awards in a separate statement.
“HUD is committed to making sure people with disabilities have a decent, safe and affordable place to call home,” Carson said. “Working closely with our local partners, we help residents with disabilities live independently and fully enjoy the use of their homes.”