The state Department of Commerce awarded $1.73 million in grants from the state’s Homeless Students Stability Program to five projects Tuesday, including one in Clark County.
Council for the Homeless received $462,222 for programs serving students and families experiencing homelessness in the Vancouver and Evergreen school districts. The nonprofit’s executive director, Kate Budd, said the grant will focus on increasing equity and housing stability for families of color by addressing challenges and inequities, and connecting with culturally appropriate support groups such as the NAACP, Latino Community Resource Group and YWCA Clark County. People of color are disproportionately impacted by homelessness.
Council for the Homeless was among 27 applicants seeking $8.2 million in funding.
“Having safe, appropriate, stable housing is the most basic foundation for helping students and families succeed,” Commerce Director Lisa Brown said in a news release. “Every family’s situation and needs are different. These investments strengthen communities by supporting locally driven approaches and collaboration throughout the housing and education system to meet students and families where they are.”
The state’s Homeless Student Stability Program, established in 2016, seeks to promote housing stability and education.
