PRINCETON - A storefront church on the east side of the Gibson County square serves another purpose once a week.

Divine Guidance Church of God in Christ's pastor, George Jackson, gives up his study space at the church to make way for a homelessness prevention grant intake office.

It's where some of the federal stimulaus dollars earmarked over the next three years for Southwestern Indiana, is put to use to help prevent renters from becoming homeless.

Up to $171,800 per year is available for homelessness prevention assistance in Gibson and Vanderburgh counties, outside the city limits of Evansville, explained Kat Isbell.

Isbell works with Aurora Inc., the Evansville-based non-profit organization which administers the grant funding.

The funding comes from an application by area agencies and government representatives working with the Homeless Services Council of Southwestern Indiana.

Jackson, who pastors Divine Guidance and founded Communities in Need of Development Corp. (CINDC) in Princeton, was part of the planning process.

CINDC's long-term vision includes more homelessness prevention programs. Jackson said some 58 local people needed help with housing in September, before the grant funding was available.

Isbell said the homeless prevention programming, which was launched in Gibson County in October, has already neared its caseload capacity.

She said 15 households in the county are getting assistance that has prevented them from losing their apartment or rental home.

The program targets renters who live in Gibson County, are at risk of losing rental housing in 7-10 days, have no resources or support networks to remain in existing housing or to get immediate housing, and who are able to maintain stable housing in a short period of time.

Income must be at or below 50 percent of the area median income, she said. That's $30,450 per year for a family of four, or $24,350 for a family of two, or $21,300 for one person, she explained.

The grant isn't a long-term support program, and isn't designed to provide mortgage assistance. Payments are made to third parties such as landlords or utilities, not the individual, she said.

Jackson said he believes local landlords need to learn more about the program to keep good tenants who have fallen on hard times.

Isbell said people who meet the eligibility criteria can call 386-7312 on Wednesdays to see whether there are any current openings. Once the program is full, no waiting list will be kept, she said.

If there are openings, a case coordinator will conduct a pre-screening by phone, then complete an assessment at a later appointment to determine what needs can be met. She said clients must be involved with case management and working toward goals and housing stability to receive help in the program.

"The homeless prevention program's basis for determining the use of the funds for the area is that if not for these funds, the household would become homeless," said Isbell.

Vanderburgh County has a ten-year plan toward ending and preventing homelessness, and Isbell hopes that as awareness of homeless issues in Gibson County grows, there will be potential for the same type of planning here.

Jackson said he's also looking for resources to help people with household items (furniture, dishes, etc.) People who have items to donate can contact him at 664-3901.

For more information about homelessness prevention, visit www.endhomelessness.org.