The Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network is getting a $90,750 grant from the feds.
A-SPAN was one of 550 local homeless organizations selected to receive funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care program.
The funding “supports the Obama Administration’s far-reaching and ambitious plan to end homelessness,” HUD said in a statement.
The Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network has stepped up some of its services in response to the dangerously hot weather.
Executive Director Kathy Sibert says volunteers have been visiting homeless camps in Arlington and handing out ice water-filled water bottles donated by Harris Teeter. A-SPAN has also been opening its drop-in center in Shirlington at 9:00 a.m. instead of the usual 1:00 p.m. And they’re handing out additional water to the 90 people who usually show up for dinner.
Sibert says days like today demonstrate the need for a year-round homeless shelter. Currently, the county only operates an emergency winter shelter.
“Homeless people don’t just exist in the winter, it’s a year-round issue,” Sibert said.
