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Local providers warn Porterville council of potential loss of HUD CoC funds for two supportive-housing projects
Summary
Service providers told the council HUD Continuum of Care NOFO changes for FY2025 could reduce funding for two Porterville permanent supportive housing projects that together serve about two dozen people; providers asked council to consider local support to maintain services.
Representatives of local homeless-service organizations warned Porterville City Council on Nov. 20 that changes to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care (CoC) Notice of Funding Opportunity for FY2025 may reduce scores or funding for permanent supportive housing projects that help people with disabilities maintain stable housing.
Leticia Inohesa of the Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance said two projects in Porterville (Casa de Robles and Ridge Connections 2) house a total of 23 people who formerly experienced homelessness and that the current CoC NOFO places greater emphasis on employment, income growth and recovery participation. She said the local application limits mean programs that demonstrate client independence (a scoring priority under the new NOFO) are more likely to score higher, potentially disadvantaging permanent supportive housing (PSH) clients with severe disabilities.
Mary Culver of the Central California Family Crisis Center, which operates the two programs, elaborated that both programs currently serve clients who meet HUD disability eligibility and provide wraparound services; without continued funding, residents could immediately be at risk of returning to homelessness. Culver said programs are holding referrals until the FY2025 funding outcome is clear and requested that the council consider local support to preserve housing stability for residents with disabilities.
Council members heard the warnings but did not take immediate funding action during the meeting. Staff accepted follow-up materials and the council was informed that local advocacy and budget planning would be necessary if federal funding shifts make PSH unsustainable.
The key takeaway: local providers request the council track CoC application results and consider contingency funding or advocacy to prevent displacement of vulnerable residents if federal funding is lost.
