Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $2.7 million in state and federal funding to expand homelessness services across Alabama, including $230,000 designated for Baldwin County through Family Promise of Baldwin County.

The grants, awarded through the Emergency Solutions Grant program, are intended to help people who are homeless or at imminent risk of losing their housing according to a news release. Services funded include emergency shelter, street outreach, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing with a particular focus on individuals and families fleeing domestic violence or other unsafe living situations.

“People become homeless for a number of reasons and often it is because of circumstances beyond their control,” Ivey said in the release. “Emergency Solutions Grants serve as a lifeline for those who are victims of violence or face situations where they lose their homes.”

In Baldwin County, Family Promise will use its $230,000 award to provide emergency shelter services for local residents experiencing homelessness. The funding supports ongoing efforts in one of the fastest growing counties in the state where rising housing costs and limited rental availability have placed increased pressure on low income families. Local advocates say emergency shelter and short term housing assistance are critical tools to help families stabilize and avoid long term homelessness.

Per the release, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants using funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ADECA oversees programs supporting law enforcement, victim services, economic development, energy conservation, water resources and recreation statewide.

“ADECA is pleased to join with Gov. Ivey and local governments and agencies in providing a helping hand to ensure Alabamians have a roof over their heads,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.

In addition to Baldwin County, the funding will support services in communities across north, central and south Alabama. The City of Florence received $410,000 to provide emergency shelter and rapid rehousing assistance to domestic violence victims and others in need across Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties. The City of Huntsville was awarded $400,000 to fund street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing in Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties.

United Way of East Central Alabama received $400,000 to assist residents in Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb and Etowah counties while the City of Tuscaloosa was awarded $220,000 to contract with local providers for outreach, shelter and prevention services within the city. Friendship Mission Inc. received $210,356 to serve individuals and families in Montgomery County.

Additional grants include $253,000 for 2nd Chance to serve domestic violence victims in Calhoun, Cleburne, Etowah and Talladega counties; $179,864 for the Shelby County Commission to provide shelter and rehousing services countywide; $175,000 for The Link of Cullman County; $150,000 for Penelope House Inc. to provide sheltering services in Mobile County in partnership with Family Promise of Coastal Alabama and McKemie Place Inc.; $42,500 for The Marshall County Home Place Inc.; and $410,000 for Florence-area services.