FLORIDA POLICIES AND PROGRAMS
FLORIDA
POLICIES AND PROGRAMS Challenge Grant
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The Challenge Grant is a relatively flexible source of funding provided by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) to continuum of care lead agencies for a variety of homeless assistance and prevention activities. The Challenge Grant, along with the Homeless Housing Assistance Grant, was created by 2001 legislation that instituted a comprehensive framework for homeless assistance planning and coordination. Challenge grants may be used to fund housing and service activities in a local CoC’s homeless assistance plan. The criteria for awarding grants include both the quality of services and amount of
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federal funding leveraged by a CoC, and the CoC’s level of need for homeless housing and services. Currently, activities funded by Challenge Grants include, but are not limited to the following. • Emergency financial assistance to prevent eviction • Meal programs • Outreach • Assistance in obtaining identification documents • Emergency and transitional shelter • Permanent housing • Referral hotlines • Supportive services, including case management, physical and mental health care, and transportation • Job skills training
HOMEWARD BOUND: POLICY AND RESOURCE GUIDE FOR HOUSING HOMELESS FLORIDIANS