At their May meeting, the United Way of Denton County Board of Directors approved funding from the newly-established Denton Housing Authority Supportive Services Community Impact Fund to three local agencies providing housing services and programs that benefit low-income families — Giving HOPE, Inc., Denton County Friends of the Family and Christian Community Action.
Denton Housing Authority and United Way created this fund to promote economic stability and increase self-sufficiency for vulnerable families in Denton County. Priority was given to applications incorporating bundled, integrative services which mirrors a collaborative with United Way, North Central Texas College and Communities Foundation of Texas to pilot a new method to client services which challenges the traditional transactional approach to meet an emergency need.
In collaboration with North Central Texas College, Giving HOPE, Inc. will receive $125,000 to better alleviate financial crises for single mothers of young children with the implementation of intensive wrap-around services for 10 to 15 families including education costs, childcare, financial coaching and rental assistance. In addition, the grant will provide certification and salary for an Education Navigator at Giving HOPE.
Denton County Friends of the Family will receive $50,000 to expand a piloted transitional housing program to serve additional families and cover costs for childcare, transportation, tuition and training for vocational programs. Additionally, Friends of the Family will leverage this grant for additional funding in the community.
Christian Community Action will receive $44,000 to expand services to clients who are at risk of becoming homeless including childcare, rental assistance and in-person training and web course materials via Financial Peace University Leadership and Member Packages.
Earlier this year, the Denton Housing Authority allocated non-federal funds to United Way for supportive services and programs to benefit low-income families in housing or housing-related programs in Denton County.