Grants for Enhanced Permanent Supportive Housing

Securing grants for Enhanced Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) involves identifying funding opportunities that support housing solutions for vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, those with disabilities, and low-income families. These grants aim to provide long-term housing stability paired with supportive services. Here are potential sources of funding:

1. Federal Grants:

  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
    • Continuum of Care (CoC) Program: Provides funding to nonprofit providers and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing trauma and dislocation. This includes support for PSH.
    • Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program: Provides funding to engage homeless individuals and families living on the street, improve the number and quality of emergency shelters, and provide essential services to shelter residents.
    • Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities: Offers funding to expand the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for very low-income adults with disabilities.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):
    • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
      • Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals (GBHI): Supports community-based services to help individuals experiencing homelessness gain access to treatment services and permanent housing.
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):
    • HUD-VASH Program: Combines HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive services to help veterans who are homeless and their families find and sustain permanent housing.

2. State Grants:

  • Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD):
    • Supportive Housing Programs: Provides funding to develop and maintain supportive housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
    • Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP): Offers long-term rental subsidies to low-income families and individuals, which can be used to support PSH projects.
  • Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS):
    • Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program: Provides funding for housing stabilization services, including case management and supportive services paired with housing assistance.

3. Private Foundations:

  • The Kresge Foundation:
    • Human Services Program: Supports initiatives that provide housing stability and supportive services to vulnerable populations, including funding for PSH projects.
  • The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation:
    • Healthy Communities Program: Funds projects that create stable and healthy housing environments, including permanent supportive housing initiatives.
  • The Melville Charitable Trust:
    • Focuses on ending homelessness by providing funding for innovative housing solutions, including PSH.

4. Corporate Grants and Sponsorships:

  • Wells Fargo Foundation:
    • Housing Affordability Challenge Grants: Supports efforts to increase the availability and sustainability of affordable housing, including PSH.
  • Bank of America Charitable Foundation:
    • Neighborhood Builders Program: Provides funding to nonprofit organizations working on affordable housing and community development, including supportive housing projects.

5. Nonprofit Organizations:

  • Enterprise Community Partners:
    • Section 4 Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Program: Provides grants to nonprofit community-based organizations to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing, including PSH.
  • Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC):
    • Housing Program: Offers funding and technical assistance for the development of affordable and supportive housing projects.

6. Community Foundations:

  • Boston Foundation:
    • Supports projects that address homelessness and housing instability, including PSH initiatives.
  • Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts:
    • Provides grants for community development projects that include affordable housing and supportive services.

Application Tips:

  • Clearly Define Objectives: Clearly articulate the specific goals of your Enhanced Permanent Supportive Housing project, focusing on how it will provide stable housing and supportive services to vulnerable populations.
  • Comprehensive Plan: Develop a detailed plan outlining your approach, target population, timeline, and expected outcomes. Include information on the supportive services that will be paired with housing.
  • Evidence of Need: Provide data and evidence demonstrating the need for PSH in your community, including statistics on homelessness and housing instability.
  • Community and Stakeholder Support: Highlight support from local government agencies, community organizations, service providers, and other stakeholders involved in the project. Include letters of support if applicable.
  • Impact Measurement: Include a plan for evaluating the success of your project and its impact on housing stability and resident well-being.
  • Sustainability: Explain how the project will be sustained beyond the grant period if applicable.
  • Follow Guidelines: Adhere to the application guidelines and deadlines specified by the funding sources. Ensure that all required documents and information are included in your application.

By securing these grants, organizations can develop and implement effective Enhanced Permanent Supportive Housing projects that provide long-term housing stability and supportive services to those in need, improving their overall quality of life and reducing homelessness.