Akron, Ohio News Release...

City of Akron Awarding $393,068 in Emergency Shelter Grant Funds

Mayor Donald Plusquellic announced the City of Akron's proposed award of $393,068 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds to be distributed among local agencies to assist the homeless. These funds come from an entitlement to the City by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The grant awards are proposed to ten agencies with the legislation being introduced to City Council January 25, 1999. Proposed grants are for: Emergency Shelters, ACCESS, Inc. - $108,000; Salvation Army - $16,500; Shelter Care/Safe Landing - $10,000; Transitional Shelters, Battered Women's Shelter - $28, 951; H.M. Life Opportunity Services - $75,000; Community AIDS Network - $20,000; Legacy III - $53,500; Community Drug Board -$14,117; Shelter Care/Shelter Home - $17,800; and Fair Housing - $34,200 to operate a security deposit program.

Through the Emergency Shelter Grant program, the City is able to assist agencies serving all segments of the population: single men and women, women with children, two parent families, and persons with AIDS. The majority of the funds went to transitional shelters. In 1998, the homeless agencies receiving funding from the City provided shelter to approximately 2,200 persons.

Funds will be used for rehabilitation activities to improve the safety and quality of the structures, the purchase of equipment and furnishings by the providers and for operating costs and services to the homeless.

The Mayor stated "The homeless shelter agencies in our community provide a much needed service to those who have temporarily hit a stumbling block in their lives. These agencies have the skills and tools necessary to assist individuals or families as they work to rebuild their lives. I am proud that the City is able to be part of the rebuilding process."

EXHIBIT A

1999 HOMELESS ASSISTANCE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS