Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced the award of $9 million in grants for 122 homeless shelters across the Commonwealth Tuesday. The grants, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, will be used to provide operating and program support.

“The homeless population in Virginia is among the most vulnerable in the state,” says Kaine. “These grants will help them make positive changes in their lives, to become more productive members of the community, to strengthen their families through times of crisis, and to care for their children.”

Grant recipients are nonprofit and local government providers of emergency shelter and transitional housing for the homeless. The grants are being provided through four program areas: State Shelter Grants, federally-funded Emergency Shelter Grants, Child Service Coordinator Grant, and the Child Care for the Homeless Children Grant program.

State Shelter Grant and Emergency Shelter Grant funds are designated for the operation, administration and supportive services for emergency shelter facilities and transitional housing facilities.

The Child Care for Homeless Children program and the Child Services Coordinator Grant are targeted toward the family environment at shelters by assisting homeless families with the cost of child care while they are employed or enrolled in an educational/job training program. They also provide support for the shelters’ child services coordinator, responsible for ensuring children in the shelters receive health and mental health care and that their educational needs are met.

“For many Virginians, the path toward self-sufficiency can be long and difficult, with many ups and downs,” says DHCD Director Bill Shelton. “The support we provide for our homeless service providers is essential in providing a safe place for individuals, families, and children where they can work toward getting back on their feet with the help that they need.”

Local Organizations Receiving Grants:

- Choices, Council on Domestic Violence for Page County in Luray - $20,510.88 State Shelter Grant, $9,973.40 Emergency Shelter Grant, $10,893.75 Child Services Coordinator Grant = $41,378.04.

- First Step: A Response to Domestic Violence, Inc. in Harrisonburg - $19,990.18 State Shelter Grant, $9,803.87 Emergency Shelter Grant, $21,787.50 Child Services Coordinator Grant = $51,581.55.

- Harrisonburg/Rockingham Area Thermal Shelter in Harrisonburg - $5,611.87 State Shelter Grant, $2,612.32 Emergency Shelter Grant = $8,224.19.

- Mercy House, Inc. in Harrisonburg - $67,705.97 State Shelter Grant, $32,422.42 Emergency Shelter Grant, $21,787.50 Child Services Coordinator Grant = $121,915.89.

- New Directions Center, Inc. in Staunton - $20,942.08 State Shelter Grant, $10,311.19 Emergency Shelter Grant, $10,893.75 Child Services Coordinator Grant = $42,147.02.

- Response, Inc. in Woodstock - $26,290.68 State Shelter Grant, $12,570.86 Emergency Shelter Grant, $10, 893.75 Child Services Coordinator Grant = $49,755.29.

- Salvation Army of Harrisonburg in Harrisonburg - $64,906 State Shelter Grant, $31,141.91 Emergency Shelter Grant = $96,047.91.

- Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter in Maurertown - $10,782.78 State Shelter Grant, $5,137.47 Emergency Shelter Grant = $15,920.26.

To see a complete list of all the organizations in the state receiving these grants, click on the link below.