Calvert County Homeless Shelter to Receive $35,692 in Recovery Funds
Washington, DC - The Obama Administration announced today that it will award $35,692 in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Calvert County's Project Echo, Inc. The news came as part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture announcement of recovery funds for 27 projects community facilities in rural areas nationwide. To date, the Department of Agriculture has announced nearly $252.5 million in Recovery Act funding for community facility projects.
"At a time like this when families and individuals are facing job loss or foreclosure, homeless shelters play a crucial role in assisting our communities," stated Rep. Hoyer. "Overall, these critical investments will benefit communities in need in this weakened economy."
Project Echo is a nonprofit agency that provides emergency assistance to local homeless people 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Project Echo Homeless Shelter lacks the capacity to meet the demand for emergency shelter to accommodate the growing number of homeless citizens living in Southern Maryland. These funds will also help increase available space by more than 50 percent and provide emergency shelter for individuals and families living in Calvert, St. Mary's or Charles County for up to 90 days. Additionally, $375,000 was included in the House-passed version of the Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has made significant investments in our communities to modernize infrastructure, lower health care costs, make education more affordable, and advance our energy efficiency. Additionally, the Recovery Act has helped workers that have been hurt by the economy by extending unemployment benefits, increasing food assistance, helping workers find jobs, and expanding housing assistance.
"Facilities such as libraries, public buildings and community centers bring vitality to small towns and cities and these Recovery Act investments will benefit people throughout the country," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The Obama Administration is committed to strengthening communities in rural areas and these investments will help further that goal."
###