Shelter Grants Increased

SALISBURY -- Salisbury officials this week announced the city has accepted nearly $38,000 in grants from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for the Emergency Solutions Grant Program.

Four organizations in Salisbury will be the beneficiaries of the grants totaling $37,875. Diakonia, Inc., Village of Hope and Samaritan Ministries, Inc. will each receive $10,250 each from the grant program. The funding will be utilized to assist with the operations costs for the four shelters.

“The City of Salisbury has been involved with passing through funds to emergency homeless shelters since 2006,” said Assistant City Administrator Lore Chambers. “The funds provide resources for operations, maintenance and administrative support. With the ending of the Homeless Prevention, Rapid Re-Housing stimulus fund program, these resources are needed more and more.”

“The Department of Housing and Community Development increased awards to the city of Salisbury this funding round in recognition of the growing need due to the increase in homelessness in our community and on the Lower Eastern Shore,” she said. “With the lack of affordable housing, job losses and increased foreclosure rates, families are utilizing homeless shelters in greater numbers than in previous years.”