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City of Charlotte could spend millions on housing for homeless

By Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com
By Joe Bruno, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There could soon be more resources available for the homeless in Charlotte. City Council is expected to vote to spend an additional $5 million to provide housing.

The city of Charlotte is slated to spend millions of CARES Act funding, the government’s COVID-19 relief bill, to help people who are homeless. City leaders praised the CARES Act at a meeting last Monday night for its ability to help residents.

“I think the CARES Act -- it’s fair to say is the gift that keeps giving,” Shawn Heath, assistant to the city manager, said.

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The city plans to provide $2.1 million of Emergency Solutions Grant funds to United Way. This will provide a year of housing for 75 people who lived in Tent City. More than 150 former Tent City residents are currently in hotels. According to the city, the county says the people not served by this funding will need a higher level of service.

Charlotte leaders also plan to provide The Salvation Army with $700,000 to lease a hotel for July through December. This will provide shelter to 400 families

“It’s good to know that we are intentionally and deliberately working to work with the homeless population,” Councilmember Renee Johnson said.

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There’s another bucket of money the city can use from the CARES Act called Community Development Block Grants. This money can be put toward purchases

From these dollars, the city plans to provide The Salvation Army with an additional $2.5 million. This money will help The Salvation Army buy the hotel the city hopes to lease for the 400 families.

According to the city, $300,000 will go to Social Serve, a nonprofit that will use the money to hire people to assist in locating housing opportunities

“People are hurting now and need help,” Councilmember Malcolm Graham said.

City leaders have allocated more than $60 million for housing and homeless support since the beginning of the pandemic. City Council will vote on this latest proposal at their business meeting Monday night.

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