A homeless shelter on Pine Street in Atlanta. Source: Wikimedia Commons

This week U.S. Reps. John Lewis, District 5, and Hank Johnson,District 4, told constituents there will be more federal money headed our way to fight homelessness.

Johnson’s office reports that DeKalb County received $6.8 million in HUD grants. The office reported that a $177,000 grant went to Progressive Redevelopment Inc, which is headquartered at the old Scottish Rite property in Decatur, but PRI Vice President Lori Mills said that money actually will go to a nonprofit PRI created in 1998, the Atlanta-based Project Community Connections Inc.

Margaret Schuelke, Executive Director of PCC, said the organization is a rapid rehousing program that helps homeless clients who have criminal histories and credit problems.

“Because of our relationships with a number of landlords, it’s easy for us to get through some housing barriers,” she said.

Rep. Lewis announced $700,000 in grants through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta to help homeless veterans.

His office reports the funding will go toward two projects: The Commons at Nelms, a 95 unit development, and the Phoenix House, a 77 unit development.

“Affordable housing is one of the greatest challenges we face in metro Atlanta today, ” Lewis said via press release. “Very few private projects are developed these days to ensure that low to very-low income residents have a safe, decent, place to live. Offering needed assistance of this kind is one of the ways the federal government works to help answer community problems motivated solely by the interests of public health and public safety, not profit. These grants could serve to secure the safety and longevity of more than 100 Atlanta metro residents. They represent an important opportunity for our district.”