NAPA, CA - The Napa County Department of Housing and Homeless Services (DHHS) has been selected to receive a grant of up to $5 million to launch and administer the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) Rental Assistance Pilot Program. The pilot program is designed to safeguard the county’s rapidly growing homeless senior population by offering rental assistance to extremely low-income residents who are experiencing severe rent burden.
“We are thrilled that Napa County has been selected to lead the BAHFA Rental Assistant Pilot Program,” said Napa County Director of Housing and Homeless Services Jennifer Palmer. “Preventing homelessness is vital for our community’s well-being and we have made significant progress through collaboration with our core non-profit partner agencies. This funding will help us strengthen and expand those efforts across Napa County, specifically for the lowest income older adult residents struggling with rising costs and fixed incomes.”
Napa County DHHS was selected from five proposals for the pilot program. According to BAHFA, Napa County’s approach, as proposed, leverages the county’s extensive network of relationships and experience by bringing together a consortium of community-based service providers.
“This is a reflection of the great work of the county’s housing and homeless services along with our local partners,” said Napa County CEO Ryan Alsop. “This pilot program will enable us to further our long-standing commitment to assisting the most vulnerable residents of our community.”
According to Napa County DHHS, seniors account for more than 10 percent of the population experiencing homelessness in the county. For older adults, financial or health crises are the leading causes of homelessness. Through the pilot program, Napa County DHHS anticipates providing stability and rental assistance to 180-200 seniors monthly to facilitate sustainable housing.
In addition to the $5 million in funding from BAHFA, Napa County DHHS will leverage an additional $1.6 million from local funding sources to support the program’s launch.
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