Federal grant to help boost ILS budget

A federal grant will help developmentally disabled individuals in Faulkner County who cannot afford housing but want to live on their own.

U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Ark., announced $292,800 in federal funding for Independent Living Services on Wednesday at ILS Profiles.

ANTHONY REYES PHOTO  

Christina Hoskins, left, laughs and talks with Maria Hoskins and Rep. Vic Snyder at a reception on Wednesday announcing a $292,800 grant for Independent Living Services.

The Community Development Block Grant, administered for ILS by the Arkansas Development and Finance Authority, will be used for tenant-based rental assistance, also known as bridge funding.

"I'm so excited I feel like Adrien Brody at the Oscars a few years ago," said ILS director Jackie Fliss, referring to Brody's manic acceptance speech. "I've been looking for this money for three years."

Fliss said the waiting list at the Conway Housing Authority is now closed because it has the maximum amount of applicants. Bridge funding will give ILS clients assistance for up to two years while they are waiting to get on the list and make it through the list to get Section 8 rental vouchers, she said.

"Those (vouchers) run until you're not eligible anymore, which for our tenants is the rest of their life," she said.

"We became aware of this funding, and Mary Boyd at the housing authority agreed to support our application and assist us with training and support," Fliss said. "(The funding) goes back into Faulkner County in the form of rental payments to property owners and allows people with disabilities to live in the community rather than in an institution or group home if they chose to, because they can afford it."

Fliss said the grant will also make it possible to help more people. Until now, unrestricted ILS funds were used to help people who cannot afford housing. With the grant funds available, the regular ILS funding can be applied toward a salary for an employee who will administer vouchers.

"Instead of helping four, we can help 40," Fliss said.

The funding may be used for rent in apartments or houses. People eligible for ILS funding are adults with developmental disabilities. They also must be enrolled in a program to help them learn daily living skills. Such programs are available through ILS.

Kathryn Young, a ILS consumer, will be one of the first people to benefit from the grant. Young is supported by Social Security and her part-time job at Arby's. Her income did not allow her to live independently.

"(The grant) is a good thing," Young said. "Without it and ILS, I wouldn't be able to move out on my own."

Snyder feels that organizations such as ILS are vital to communities and the nation and pledged his commitment to helping them.

"Families, individuals and the government can't do it all," Snyder said. "Organizations like ILS are needed to help the community bridge the gap. They are really important because these organizations help us function as a community and a nation."

Fliss thanked many people and groups including the ADFA, Conway Housing Authority, the Department of Human Services, the ILS Board of Directors, the city of Conway and many others.