HUD Initiatives May Have Impact on Local Agencies
Fr. Joe Interested in Government’s Plan to Bolster Support for Faith-based Organizations

   SAN DIEGO — St. Vincent de Paul Village President Fr. Joe Carroll is viewing tomorrow’s visit from Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Mel Martinez as an opportunity to determine how initiatives HUD has proposed will impact human services agencies in the local area.

   Two initiatives are of particular interest to Fr. Joe: The secretary’s attempt to bolster government support of faith-based organizations and an effort to improve the delivery of federal services to homeless individuals and families. As proof of its commitment to the initiatives, HUD announced on March 28 the availability of $2.2 billion in grants – known as a Super Notice of Funding Availability (SuperNOFA) – some of which is earmarked for homeless assistance agencies.

   The impact of the new funds on local agencies is not yet known, but Fr. Joe hopes Martinez will outline how the money will assist those agencies.

   "It’s clear that Secretary Martinez and HUD are making a strong move to support agencies like St. Vincent’s," Fr. Joe says. "His visit to the Village will provide him an opportunity to see our life-changing programs and services, which are funded in part by HUD grants. HUD’s support of St. Vincent’s and other San Diego human services agencies has provided us the means to help homeless children, families and single adults regain their self-sufficiency."

   Fr. Joe is also eager to hear about the secretary’s plan to increase government support of faith-based organizations.

   "President Bush and Secretary Martinez want government to work in concert with faith-based agencies," he says. "I support their efforts and look forward to learning more about their plans to help religious-based agencies that provide services to the less fortunate."

   Secretary Martinez will address the media on Friday, April 12, at a 10:45 a.m. news conference at St. Vincent’s, located at 1501 Imperial Avenue, following his tour of the organization’s facility.

   For more information on Secretary Martinez’s visit to St. Vincent de Paul Village, call (619) 525-1608.

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