Tulsa's Housing and Urban Development Community Development Committee begins the difficult task of awarding grants from its federal funds.
The HUD committee has about $1 million less to give out this year, and more than 50 organizations are asking for funds. Committee chair Gail Rose said it's a tough process.
"It is very difficult, and not only do we look at the statistics and the logistics of people served, we have to look at the individuals that we meet and our own conscience of are they actually going to be able to do what we are charging them to do?" Rose said.
Applicants are running programs ranging from home repair loans to homeless prevention. The committee heard from 10 organizations at a meeting yesterday.
The Tulsa Day Center got some good news during yesterday's meeting. The organization stands to get an additional $20,000 in HUD funds.
Director Sandra Lewis said it will go toward the Day Center's rapid rehousing program.
"It will allow us to serve more people with an already existing program," Lewis said. "We can serve 20 more people, and that means that 20 more people will have the opportunity to go more quickly into housing."
Rapid rehousing helps eliminate financial barriers to getting housing, such as utility debts. The HUD committee approved the funding after another organization declined an award.
The city council has to finalize the change.
