V.I. Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) Interim Executive Director Dayna Clendinen announced this week the award of $14,270,963. in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funding to nine community non-profits.
A Notice of Funding Availability was issued on July 12, and subsequent public hearings were held to give potential applicants the chance to learn more about requirements and the application process.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to announce these awards, which also give us at VIHFA the opportunity to be a partner in helping to address some of our community’s greatest needs while advancing the progress of long-term recovery in the territory,” Interim Executive Director Clendinen said.
“Right now, CDBG-DR funds are used for the rehabilitation, reconstruction or new construction of public facilities, including those owned by non-profits or agencies open to the public. Our goals with this funding are to increase emergency housing, make our public facilities more resilient and offer critical support to some of our most vulnerable populations,” she said.
Funding awards were recommended for:
- Caribbean Centers for Boys & Girls of the Virgin Islands: $200,000 to repair and renovate a retaining wall at the facility in Christiansted, St. Croix, that was damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria.
- Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands: $400,000 for new construction of restrooms and showers at the Bethlehem Shelter facility on St. Thomas to increase capacity to serve more of the island’s vulnerable population.
- Project Promise: $95,000 to provide a comprehensive afterschool, support program for at-risk youth, ages 10-18, in Christiansted, St. Croix.
- Liberty Place: $1,000,000 to provide supportive housing and sheltering services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. These services will be provided at the organization’s facility in Frederiksted, St. Croix.
- Meeting The Needs of Our Community, MTOC (formerly Methodist Training and Outreach Center): $207,568 to provide counseling and support services to individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress, mental health and behavioral health issues as a result of hurricanes Irma and Maria.
- Salvation Army of the Virgin Islands: $3,916,352 for renovation and new construction of the kitchen, classroom, and courtyard area and facility at their location on St. Thomas to increase capacity to serve more of the island’s vulnerable population.
- St. Croix Foundation for Community Development: $2,420,000 for renovation and retrofitting of the Alexander Theater to serve as a secondary emergency shelter and safe room during hurricane declarations and as a performing arts center and performing arts training/learning/production space for the youth, as well as a convening/conference space serving the public in Christiansted, St. Croix.
- St. Croix Foundation for Community Development: $1,184,895 for the development of a Nonprofit Co-Working Space and Resilience facility to assist non-profit organizations that provide critical public services to the community, including those serving the homeless population.
- St. John Rescue: $170,000 to establish and operate a training center, providing Emergency Medical Technician and Emergency Medical Responder recertification classes, water safety and lifeguard programs, and outreach on St. John.
“In truth, charitable non-profits and governments are natural partners, as we serve the same constituents. Therefore, the challenges of one are challenges for all, and working together allows us all to leverage our collective resources better help our community. With their knowledge of each district’s needs and reach – particularly to those in low-income and underserved populations – investments in organizations such as these really provide us with an ideal opportunity to secure relief, recovery and deliver a greater impact for the public good,” Clendinen said.
