Augusta commissioners voted Tuesday to direct $613,988 in federal Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to combat homelessness with the bulk of the funds going to the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army will receive $440,738 to offset the deficit in the group’s operating expenses. According to Major Douglas McClure of the Salvation Army, the funds have been a long time coming.
“We applied for the funding back in January, but it does take a while for that funding to filter down,” he said.
The Salvation Army is still planning to eventually close and move out of its Greene Street facility and build a new homeless shelter on Gordon Highway. McClure said that none of the Emergency Solutions Grant money will be used towards the new building, however.
MORE: The Salvation Army and City of Augusta Continue to Battle Homelessness Amid Pandemic
“We will begin our capital campaign for the new shelter in the fall. The CARES Act funding is just to cover our operating expenses,” McClure said.
Two other entities received the balance of the CARES Act funding. The Richmond County Health Department will receive $18,750 for their homeless prevention programs and the McKie Foundation will receive $154,500 for their rapid rehousing program.
On Tuesday, the Augusta Commission also held a required hearing over Mayor Hardie Davis’ use of an un-decaled vehicle. No one from the public appeared to speak on the matter, so after 30 minutes the hearing was declared adjourned.
Scott Hudson is the Managing Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com.
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