Reno funds Motel-to-Home program

There are more than 300 Reno families currently living in motels. It's a problem the City of Reno wants to deal with, so they're putting up the cash needed to help.

"One huge problem we see is the inability to save for a deposit,” said Hettie Ploeger, Resource Network Director at Catholic Charities. "Other issues might be substance abuse, mental health and also learning how to budget."

Those are problems the City of Reno wants to help people overcome. They've given a $100,000 to catholic charities for a program that gets people into stable housing.

"It is a prevention activity so we do not see these families coming into the shelter," said Elaine Wiseman, Community Development Director with the City of Reno.

Wiseman says most people living in motels are on the brink of homelessness. By helping them out, Catholic Charities and the City of Reno are keeping them off the streets.

"We pay the deposit and rent, they get on their feet, and are able to start saving and learning how to budget and then become sustainable," said Wiseman.

Residents have to meet Catholic Charities half-way. They must have an income, and must be able to afford rent.

"With the subsidies that are out there and different programs... Apartments and different rentals can be way more affordable for families," said Ploeger.

The $100,000 provided by the City of Reno comes from the $10.9 million budget surplus the city discovered earlier this year.

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