Help On Way For Residents Close To Homelessness

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Agencies across the state received $6 million in Federal stimulus money for a program designed to help those on the brink of homelessness or those who have just lost their home.

For more than a decade Buffalo Valley has helped those who are homeless in rural areas. Beth Gant used to be one of those people.

"Life was on the street. I didn't know anything about having a job and paying rent or being responsible," said Gant.

The agency's ‘Homeless no more program' teaches those skills to hundreds of people like Gant each year.

In October, they will be able to give financial help to families before they become homeless and those who've just lost their homes.

"If you have lost your job and you've lost your house we may be able to pay your rent deposit or your security deposits to help you get into housing quicker," said Debbie Hillin, Buffalo Valley.

Buffalo River received more than $900,000 in Federal stimulus money for a homeless prevention and rapid re-housing program. The goal was to reach needy middle Tennesseans before it was too late.

"Once you lose your house you lose everything and that's when you keep going. You lose your house, you lose your kids and you give up," said formerly homeless Tasha Stewart.

Stewart and Gant are off the street; in fact they work for Buffalo Valley and will work with many of the homeless families who will benefit from the new program.

Buffalo Valley's Homeless No More program will help Middle Tennesseans in 20 different counties. Agencies in Davidson and Rutherford County have also received stimulus money for similar programs.

Buffalo Valley Inc.
If interested in the program call 1-800-626-6709

Continuum of Care
Funding
% of Funding

TN Valley Coalition to End Homelessness
$613,728
10.23%

Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition/SE Region
$590,260
9.84%

Memphis/Shelby Co. Partners for the Homeless
$893,716
14.90%

Knoxville/Knox County C of C
$294,248
4.90%

Buffalo Valley (HNM)
$922,043
15.37%

Nashville/Davidson Co.-MDHA
$555,621
9.26%

Upper Cumberland Development District C of C
$635,832
10.60%

West TN Housing Resource Network (WTHRN)
$753,257
12.55%

Appalachian Regional Coalition on Homelessness (ARCH)
$540,686
9.01%

Murfreesboro/Rutherford County C of C
$200,611
3.34%