Mayor Greg Nickels has announced the city of Seattle is awarding $4.3 million in federal and local funding to 10 agencies, for a total of 13 programs, to prevent more than 1,600 low-income households from becoming homeless over the next two years.

Another $1.1 million will help more than 100 homeless families move from shelters and the street into affordable housing, according to the mayor's office.

“Especially in these difficult economic times, it is important that we help provide stable housing for our most vulnerable individuals and families," said Nickels in a statement. "This funding will also help quickly move homeless families into permanent housing, supporting our efforts to end the cycle of homelessness."

The funding, much of it from the federal stimulus, will support a variety of programs providing short- and medium-term financial assistance to those who might otherwise become homeless. This includes short-term rental assistance (up to three months), medium-term rental assistance (up to 12 months), security deposits, utility deposits, utility payments, and help with moving costs.

Agencies will make payments directly to third parties, such as landlords or utility companies. Housing stabilization and relocation services, including case management, tenant counseling and legal services to prevent eviction, are also included in these funding awards.

In June, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) announced the availability of $5.4 million from three sources: $3.6 million in federal stimulus funding, $1.3 million from the federal Community Development Block Grant program, and $568,000 from the city of Seattle general fund.

The city awarded funding to the following local community agencies:

Family Rapid Re-Housing Agencies
Solid Ground
Wellspring Family Services
YWCA of Seattle, King County, Snohomish County

Homelessness Prevention Agencies
Catholic Community Services
El Centro de la Raza
International District Housing Alliance
Neighborhood House
Refugee Federation Service Center
Solid Ground
The Salvation Army
Wellspring Family Services
YMCA of Greater Seattle
YWCA of Seattle, King County, Snohomish County

To track the city's progress as it seeks federal stimulus funds, visit www.recovery.seattle.gov. The site provides information about the projects for which Seattle is seeking funding, and, if funding is granted, how the money is being spent.

Seattle is seeking stimulus funding for projects in the following categories: community development, economic development, energy, environment, public safety, social services and transportation.