We posted about this just two weeks ago.  Today, Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh closed the waiting list for the Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP), which provides financial assistance and services to homeless individuals and families, as well as those who would become homeless without assistance. In the two weeks since the program was launched, more than 350 people who called the hotline have been assigned to the lead agencies to work through the qualification process. Another 200 people are currently on the waiting list.
HPRP will provide short-term stability to individuals and families, such as assistance with rent, help with utility payments, relocation services, and access to counseling. The goal of the program is to help those who are homeless or are in danger of becoming homeless to gain housing in the short term that they will be able to maintain in the long term.
The HPRP efforts are made possible by more than $14 million from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. The waiting list may be reopened in 2010 if there are additional funds available following the qualification and needs assessment process.
Information on HPRP is available here.