Community Encouraged to Raise $2,000 to Help Prevent Homelessness
BOISE, ID – September 21, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The Home Partnership Foundation (HPF), brought to you by Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA), is asking North Central Idaho community members to raise at least $2,000 in donations to help prevent homelessness this winter to satisfy a new challenge grant. Donations from the community are needed by Oct. 15.
AmericanWest Bank has awarded a $2,000 leadership grant to Sojourners’ Alliance to kick off the fundraising efforts. The HPF is offering dollar-for-dollar matching funds of up to $2,000 for any additional funds donated to Sojourners’ Alliance by mid-October.
If the fundraising goal is met, the HPF and AmericanWest Bank will present Sojourners’ Alliance with an additional $4,000 check. The donations will supplement federal Stewart B. McKinney Emergency Shelter Grant funds, which provided $4,400 this year to help individuals and families avoid eviction or utility shut-off during the harsh winter months.
“Sojourners’ Alliance provides an important service to North Idaho residents who are struggling to make ends meet so we encourage other businesses and individuals who can give, to make a contribution to this important cause,” said Scott Kisting president and CEO, AmericanWest Bank.
“This region’s needs are tremendous,” said Steve Bonnar, Sojourners’ Alliance executive director. “The previous Emergency Shelter Grant was utilized in six weeks. Without additional funding we will have to turn away ten to 20 households a week.”
Funds raised by Oct. 15, along with the leadership grant and matching funds, will support area families on the brink of homelessness – many who are confronting homelessness for the first time. Sojourners’ Alliance was able to help 36 families last year. This year, they have already fulfilled 58 requests and the cold weather is yet to come.
“Preventing homelessness is a priority of The Home Partnership Foundation and we are pleased to participate in the generous matching opportunity afforded by AmericanWest Bank to support Sojourners’ Alliance’s important work,” said Julie Williams, executive vice president for the Foundation and IHFA.
To make a tax-deductible donation to help prevent homelessness in North Central Idaho, you can direct your gift to Sojourners’ Alliance through the Home Partnership Foundation online at www.homepartnershipfoundation.org, or send a check to the Home Partnership Foundation, P.O. Box 7899, Boise, ID 83707-1899. You can also deliver donations to Sojourners’ Alliance at 627 N. VanBuren, Moscow, ID 83843. Funds postmarked by Oct. 15 will be eligible for dollar-for-dollar matching funds from the Foundation.
Renters at risk of eviction due to short-term crises should contact the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, which will screen applicants and refer those who qualify to Sojourners’ Alliance. Priority will be given to families, and funds may only be used for households receiving a utilities shut-off or eviction notice.
AmericanWest Bank is a Spokane-based community bank committed to providing competitive value, responsive service, reliable answers and a connection to every community they serve. With 63 locations, AmericanWest has offices in North Idaho, Washington, Utah and California.
Sojourners’ Alliance is a private, nonprofit organization working toward a vision of dignity and equality for all people. Its mission is to promote the personal growth, empowerment, and self-sufficiency of people in transition by providing decent, affordable housing to low-income persons, basic services, education in life and interpersonal skills, counseling, and opportunities for integration into the community.
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The mission of the Home Partnership Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is to strengthen communities across Idaho by encouraging direct community investments that support shelters and shelter services for Idaho’s homeless and most disadvantaged; prevent eviction actions to stabilize households, encourage asset building and education to achieve economic independence; build equity sharing funds to make workforce housing attainable; and facilitate tax-advantaged land donations for affordable housing purposes. Click here to become a fan of the Foundation on Facebook.
Contact:
Maria Ortega mariao (at) ihfa (dot) org
IHFA Public & Media Relations Officer
208-331-4858
Deanna Ward deannaw (at) ihfa (dot) org
Home Partnership Foundation Development Director
208-424-7010
