Jonesboro receives HUD grant to aid homeless in the region

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will give the city of Jonesboro a $94,000 grant to help the homeless in Craighead, Greene, and Poinsett counties. Jonesboro is part of a HUD program known as “Continuum of Care.” The other counties are partners in this program.

“This grant is something I’ve been hoping for because it allows us to place homeless individuals and families in permanent housing,” Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin said.

A survey conducted earlier this year revealed there are about 150 homeless people in the three-county area. Perrin has appointed a taskforce to end homelessness in Craighead County.

The grant is part of a $1.95 billion program initiated by President Barack Obama to help those who don’t have homes. It’s estimated the program will reach up to 7,600 people. HUD Secretary Julian Castro released a statement saying the projects selected “support proven strategies to end homelessness once and for all.”

The money will be used to help those in need pay for rent and utilities, taskforce facilitator Emma Agnew said. The taskforce will identity those who qualify and provide monetary assistance based on the assessed need, she said.

“It can be for up to two years, though I don’t see it lasting two years,” Agnew said. “It depends on where they are in their journey as to what will be provided.”

Jonesboro has been a Continuum of Care member for five years. When the disbursement of the grant will begin has not been determined.