MUNCIE, Ind. - Muncie social service advocates who work to prevent homelessness are questioning the city's decision to spend federal money used for nonprofit programming on recreational and educational ventures.
Nearly $1.2 million in Community Development Block Grants is targeted for local work on public facilities, housing rehabilitation, blight removal and public services. About $176,000 of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grants has been set aside for nonprofit programming in public service.
The money is supposed to address the "accessibility and availability of a suitable living environment," according to a draft of the grant allocations.
Advocates for homelessness prevention told The Star Press they don't think they should have to compete with recreational and educational programs for a shrinking pool of money.
"The first word in HUD is 'housing,' and I feel like both HUD and the Community Development office have forgotten that," said Susie Kemp, executive director of Bridges Community Services. "What's the use of all of the recreational programming if kids don't have a place to lay their head at night because their family is homeless?"
City officials said health, educational, recreational and crime prevention programs also help create a suitable living environment.
A panel of community members decided which projects and agencies would receive the block grant funding for 2012. The group awarded funding to 12 nonprofits from a pool of 23 proposals.
The recipients include the Muncie Boys & Girls Club, Muncie Habitat for Humanity, Open Door Health Services/Gateway and United Day Care Center.
The agencies don't specifically address homelessness prevention, but their focus on education, health and employment can help prevent housing issues for future generations, according to social service providers.
"Education can improve a family for generations," said Bill Greene, executive director of the local BGC. "We plan on using these resources to continue our reading and math programs for elementary school students, improving their reading by the third grade. We think we can do a lot to help our families with these projects."
The panel did award funds to homelessness prevention and community housing programs. Bridges Community Services received $22,200, Habitat got $5,700 and PathStone Housing Counseling was awarded $16,950.
Terry Whitt Bailey, Muncie's community development director, said many factors went into determining who got money. She said the awards don't signal an end to funding for efforts to prevent homelessness.
"We plan to work with everyone to get the city what it needs," Bailey said. "That's when we all win."
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