BANGOR – The Greater Penobscot Continuum of Care for People Who Are Homeless announced the annual solicitation of projects and project renewal under the federal HUD Super NOFA Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance program.

The purpose of the programs is to reduce the incidence of homelessness by assisting individuals and families to become self-sufficient and to move to permanent housing.

Public entities and private nonprofit organizations, including faith-based, may apply. Applications must include evidence of matching funds from local, state, federal or private resources.

Intent to apply notices must be received by Friday, March 24, in order for projects to be considered for the consolidated application that must be submitted to HUD by May 25.

The Greater Penobscot Continuum of Care is a collaboration of service providers, municipal officials, business leaders, advocates and other community members.

Project applicants must be or become active members of the GPCOC and participate in the year-round work of meeting the requirements of the Federal Continuum of Care program in addition to other objectives of the organization.

Download project applications, logic models, and questions and answers at www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/nofa06/grpcoc.cfm. It is strongly suggested that applicants have grant writing experience and capacity.

For information, e-mail T.J. Martzial, City of Bangor Housing Programs manager and chairman of the GPCOC at t.j.martzial@bgrme.org.

Information is available from Sally Healey, GPCOC coordinator, at shealey@midmaine.com, or Dennis Marble, executive director of the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter and chairman of the GPCOC project committee, at bahs@gwi.net.