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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Illinois Awaits Federal Funds to Help Keep Families in Their Homes

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Thursday, February 26, 2009   

Chicago, IL - It's welcome news for people affected by the housing crunch and those working to alleviate some of their suffering. As Congress ramps up funding for the Federal Emergency Shelter Grant Program in the recently passed federal economic stimulus package, Illinois is slated to receive $71 million in homeless prevention aid.

That will be about nine times more federal money than the state typically receives for that purpose. Bob Palmer, executive director of Housing Action Illinois, says it is sorely needed.

"These payments are going to be focused on homelessness prevention: People who are behind on their rent or behind on their mortgage or behind on their utility payments and need a few months' assistance in order to stay housed."

Palmer says some of the money will supplement the state Homelessness Prevention Program, which has not only seen increased demand, but also has had trouble being funded, as the state struggles with the ongoing fiscal crisis.

While it is still unclear when the money will arrive or how it will be allocated, the news of its impending arrival is welcome to housing assistance providers. Cathy Grafton, director of community services for Mid Central Community Action, says it will be a big help to individuals affected by the housing slump.

"People in foreclosure are there for a huge variety of reasons, not necessarily because they took more house than they could afford, but there are a lot of medical reasons, job loss and other causes."

A recent survey by Housing Action Illinois showed a substantial increase in the need for services at homeless shelters in Illinois during the second half of last year. The survey is reported at www.housingactionil.org.




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