Sedgwick County commissioners approved a $940,000 federal grant application on Wednesday morning for a housing program that helps homeless people.
The Shelter Plus Care Housing Program provides participants with housing while they work on skills to increase their income and self-sufficiency.
Comcare Executive Director Marilyn Cook says participants can stay in this housing for as long as they need.
"The long-term goal is for participants to successfully address any barriers that they have that contribute to their homelessness, and to graduate to some other type of more independent, self-directed housing," Cook says.
Cook says the Shelter Plus Care program targets three specific homeless populations: those with mental illness, those who have substance abuse issues, and people with HIV/AIDS.
"Comcare pays the rent and the clients are expected to pay up to 30 percent of that rent when that’s possible," Cook says. "These clients can stay in this housing for as long as they want and as long as they continue to meet the criteria for the program."
Comcare partners with Miracles, Inc. and KU School of Medicine-Wichita to provide referrals, treatment and case management.
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve and accept a grant from the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agency.
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