City seeks applicants for $5M in shelter funding

The city of Springfield is seeking applicants to take advantage of $5 million in funding available to develop noncongregate shelters.

The city has dedicated $2.2 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Home-American Rescue Plan and $2.8 million in U.S. Treasury Department American Rescue Plan Act funding for the initiative, according to a news release.

The funding would "allow for the acquisition, construction, renovation or rehabilitation of one or more buildings to create one or more noncongregate shelters," city officials say.

Letters of intent will be accepted through noon on Feb. 21, and upon acceptance, full proposals will be due at noon on March 23, according to the release. All noncongregate shelter projects utilizing U.S. Treasury Department ARPA funds must be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2026, and projects utilizing Home-ARP funds must be completed no later than Sept. 30, 2030.  

Winning recipients would receive funding in the form of a grant. Nonprofits and for-profit businesses are eligible.

Noncongregate shelters provide temporary shelter to individuals and families in need, according to HUD.gov.

Springfield City Council in November declared an “economic and housing access calamity” in the city.

“It allows us to continue to give individuals, churches and nonprofits that are able to meet the city’s building safety and health codes the ability to be able to provide food and lodging to the unemployed and the working poor in our community," said Bob Atchley, senior city planner, at the time.