Benton County adding $440,000 to Assist Homeless

Benton County Health Department is seeking applications from eligible entities to help support case management and street outreach services for the Coordinated Homeless Response Office’s Rapid Rehousing Initiative to reduce homelessness in Benton County.

Up to $360,000 is available for case management services and up to $80,000 for street outreach services. These services will play an important role in Benton County’s House Bill (HB) 5019 Rapid Rehousing Initiative that will coordinate a system of care to address and prevent homelessness through a Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool (FHSP) led by Benton County Health Department. The goal of the HB 5019 Rapid Rehousing Initiative is to achieve long-term housing stability for 31 households by June 30, 2025.

The Health Department says its committed to sustaining effective strategies beyond the initial HB 5019 investments to support rapid rehousing. The goal of the FHSP is to coordinate a system of care that fully addresses the unique and complex needs and barriers of people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The FHSP will work to achieve this goal by providing centralized access to:

1. Housing navigation
2. Tenancy supports
3. Intensive case management
4. Street outreach
5. Rental subsidies
6. Landlord engagement and incentives

“We are grateful to our partners at Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) for this funding opportunity to support our community’s coordinated response to homelessness. We have a strong network of housing and homeless service providers who play a critical role towards our shared vision that everyone in Benton County should have an opportunity to live in decent, safe, and affordable housing.” April Holland, Interim Health Department Director

The Health Department says all provided services will be culturally responsive, low barrier, and ensure equitable access and outcomes through Housing First principles and evidence-based practices. Services will be provided with a health equity, trauma-informed, and harm reduction approach. Culturally responsive programs and services will be prioritized.

Interested organizations should review the Notice of Funding Opportunity on the Benton County website, available starting March 15, 2024. Proposals must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., April 15, 2024. Applications will be reviewed by a Benton County Health Department evaluation committee with a funding recommendation forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final approval.

For more information on this request for proposals, please contact Coordinated Homeless Response Office Project Manager, Rebecca Taylor, at 541-766-6787 or Rebecca.taylor@bentoncountyor.gov.