The Northeast Oklahoma Continuum of Care has three sub-regions covering an 11-county region in northeast Oklahoma. The southern region includes Sequoyah, Adair and Cherokee Counties. The northern region includes Craig, Delaware and Ottawa Counties. The western region includes Mayes, Rogers, Nowata, Wagoner, and Washington Counties.
The Continuum has been funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for two consecutive years and a third-year application is pending, Connie Schlittler with the Bill Willis Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Center in Sallisaw and Tahlequah said.
Schlittler said Oklahoma has received over $5 million in homeless assistance funds through the Continuum of Care application process during the past two years. Continuum care received $397,554 for 2004 and $224,724 in the previous cycle.
Schlittler said, "The coalition reviews and submits projects to HUD based on identified priorities. Developing permanent and transitional housing projects for homeless and a wide array of service projects are eligible activities for the Continuum of Care grant program. Continuum partner agencies have also received HUD Emergency Shelter Grant funds through the Oklahoma Department of Commence to support emergency shelters and to provide essential supportive services to homeless individuals and families."
Anyone interested in applying for HUD homeless funds is encouraged to attend and participate. Contact Laura Garner at Hope House to reserve a seat at the next meeting at (918) 456-4673.
Meetings of the continuum partnership rotate among the three regions throughout the year. The NEO Continuum of Care is a coalition of individuals and organizations interested in ending homelessness in eastern Oklahoma. The group was founded three years ago to assist rural communities and organizations to coordinate efforts and secure the resources necessary to reduce homelessness in northeastern Oklahoma.
