Samaritan House Receives Housing Grant Award

HUD renews Genesis project grant for three years, $916,000

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded a contract renewal in excess of $900,000 last month to Samaritan House in support of its Genesis Project housing program. The contract provides funds for tenant-based leasing assistance and supportive services over the next three years for residents who successfully transition into off-site apartment living.

All of the major television networks, print and radio media and scores of supporters from the community attended the event on August 19th. The well-timed publicity helped also promote the coming ground breaking for the new Villages at Samaritan House development, slated for September 13, 2005.

“We could not have asked for a better moment,” said Steve Dutton, Executive Director of Samaritan House. “There were several very touching moments between officials and residents, and there was just such a feeling of hope throughout the House. We’re truly grateful for the support we have in this community.”

The Fort Worth Star Telegram followed up the event with an article the next day, featuring a photograph of U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, visiting with Melanie, a Samaritan House resident in her room.

The award, part of HUD’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program, reflects an increase of approximately 20% over the previous contract. Recent local Homeless Coalition studies report that there are over 4,000 homeless at any given time in Tarrant County, with annualized homeless numbers exceeding 11,000. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 20% of homeless are HIV-positive.

In response to growing need, Samaritan House will break ground on three new buildings in September, as part of a development called the Villages at Samaritan House. The development will result in sixty-six new apartments for individuals, couples and families, as well as an expansion of the current facility by eight additional Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units.

Residents participating in the Genesis project will have the option of living in the new Villages housing, as well as in other apartments throughout the community. The HOPWA grant will support up to 30 units of off-site housing at a time, as well as accompanying support services.

“This never would have happened without such widespread community interest,” says Dutton. “The people of Tarrant County may never know what a positive impact this development will have on low-income individuals and families. However, I’m offering an open invitation with the hope that they’ll come see for themselves.”

Please join Samaritan House on Thursday, September 13th at 3:15pm for the official groundbreaking of the Villages at Samaritan House, 929 Hemphill Street.

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