Worcester County approves shelters’ grant applications

Continuing efforts to keep people in housing and off the streets is the goal of a grant application, which was approved by the County Commissioners at its meeting on Tuesday.

For the fifth straight year, the Worcester County Department of Social Services is partnering with two county homeless shelters, Diakonia, on 12747 Old Bridge Rd. in West Ocean City, and Samaritan Shelter, on 814 Fourth St. in Pocomoke City, to seek funding through the Maryland Department of Human Resources.

The DHR facilitates two programs: Emergency and Transitional Housing (ETHS), and Homeless Prevention (HPP). Worcester Social Services is requesting $20,484 through ETHS and $4,822 from HPP.

Site visits were paid to Diakonia on March 22, and to Samaritan Shelter on March 9. Both were found to be in compliance with all mandated regulations and policies. The grant period runs from July 1, 2016 until June 30, 2017. All monies must be spent by the end date.

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