Othello Housing Authority applies for assistance

OTHELLO — The Othello Housing Authority is applying for nearly $25,000 from the state for homeless assistance.

The money would pay for temporary emergency shelter such as motel vouchers.

They planned to mail the application in Monday, in time for the Friday deadline, said Housing Authority Executive Director Alan Hanks. The money comes from the Department of Community Trade and Economic Development.

"We would be able to put people into temporary emergency shelters, which would probably be motels in Adams County," Hanks said.

In the annual homeless count in January, 103 individuals were found in Adams County to be living outdoors, Hanks said. An additional 127 were found to be sharing housing.

The North Central Community Action Council historically applied for the funding on behalf of the Othello Housing Authority, Hanks said.

"It just has come time to change directions a little bit," he said.

The Adams County commissioners were scheduled to sign the application on Monday morning, he said. As long as the application meets the requirements, the Othello Housing Authority can count on getting the non-competitive funds, Hanks said.

Othello Housing Authority owns 214 units of housing and manages an additional 24 units.