Staff Writer

Individuals experiencing homelessness have a new supporter ­ a $26,250 grant ­ recently awarded to the city of Troy.

Earlier this week, Mayor Jimmy Lunsford was notified the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs was awarding the city with emergency shelter funds. Troy is one of 20 Alabama communities to receive funding.

"These shelters provide a vital service to victims of domestic abuse and others in need of emergency shelter," Gov. Don Siegelman said. "I am pleased we are able to make these urgently-needed funds available.

Siegelman awarded the grants from more than $1.4 million in federal funds made available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He has designated ADECA to administer the grants, which are made to city and county governments that, in turn, provide support for a wide variety of public and private shelter programs.

Troy City Clerk Alton Starling said the grant was applied for in March and the city, which will provide the necessary matching funds, is "subcontracting" with the Salvation Army to provide the services.

"That’s what the Salvation Army already does," Starling said of assisting those who are on the verge of losing their homes or are already homeless. "This grant will magnify their budget so they can do more."

Starling said the purpose of the grant funding is to prevent homelessness. For example, if a person is in danger of losing his or her home because rent money is not available, the funding will offer help to that person. The grant funds can also be used to help with utilities and provide shelter in a local motel.

The Emergency Shelter Grants program was established by the Homeless Housing Act of 1986, in response to the growing issue of homelessness in the United States. Objectives of the program include increasing the number and quality of emergency shelters and transitional housing facilities for homeless individuals and families, providing essential social services, operating the facilities and helping to prevent homelessness.