The University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Center on Children, Families, and the Law (CCFL) is grateful to work alongside local and national partners to effect change that can improve the lives of children and families.
CCFL is excited to announce that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $2.2 million to the Nebraska Balance of State Continuum of Care (BoS CoC) to address unsheltered and rural homelessness.
CCFL's Community Services Division is the collaborative applicant for the BoS CoC and was proud to host the check presentation ceremony. The award will support housing programs in rural Nebraska with a focus on the North Platte and Panhandle regions.
In 2022, 3,454 persons experienced homelessness in Nebraska. Of those, 68% were experiencing homelessness for the first time, and 18% were children. Key components of the BoS CoC's plan to combat homelessness include:
- Developing essential housing for those earning less than $22,000 a year.
- Strengthening outreach and partnerships with landlords and Public Housing Authorities.
- Leveraging healthcare resources for those experiencing homelessness.
- Creating greater access to low-barrier shelter and temporary housing.
- Increasing the involvement of persons with lived experience.
- Providing housing resources and services in underserved geographic areas.
CCFL was honored to have HUD Regional Administrator Ulysses "Deke" Clayborn travel to Lincoln to present the ceremonial check in the Olson Training Center on May 8th. Additional special guests included:
- Kitty Amaya, HUD’s Nebraska Field Office Director
- Tera Kucera, BoS CoC Chair and Executive Director of Care Corps in Fremont
- Ashley Lewis, grantee recipient and Executive Director of The Connection Homeless Shelter in North Platte
- Betsy Vidlak, grantee recipient and Chief Executive Officer of Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska in Gering
- Bonnie Beckstrom, subgrantee recipient and Community Services Director of Northwest Community Action Partnership in Chadron
Senior Project Director of CCFL's Community Services Division, Jeff M. Chambers, emphasized in his remarks, "The BoS CoC has made significant strides in reducing homelessness in our state over the past decade, and this award will greatly enhance our efforts to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring."