ACSRC will not apply for Continuum of Care funding The organization urges local support to sustain Summit Transitional Housing Program
The Audrain County Shelter Resource Coalition announced …
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ACSRC will not apply for Continuum of Care funding
The organization urges local support to sustain Summit Transitional Housing Program
The Audrain County Shelter Resource Coalition announced Nov. 20 that it will not apply for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care funding for fiscal year 2025 after determining that major changes to federal requirements would significantly weaken local services and increase barriers for people experiencing homelessness in Audrain County.
The Summit Transitional Housing Program has been in operation since January 2023 and has proven to be successful using a community-driven model that allows staff to tailor services to the distinct needs of individuals and families in Audrain County, a news release stated. The program has consistently met or exceeded federal best-practice standards and has garnered recognition from agencies in Missouri and other states for its success as a housing program in a rural area operating without government funding.
“The Summit Transitional Housing Program works because it is built around person-centered
services and using a case management model that works for each person in a way that it changes their lives,” Ra’Vae Moore, executive director of ACSRC, said in the release. “Our participants do not fit into one mold, and neither should the services meant to help them stabilize. We know our community, we know the barriers our families face, and we know what works.”
Why ACSRC declined the FY2025 CoC funding
ACSRC’s Board of Directors has thoroughly studied the FY2025 CoC funding opportunity and
its potential impact. In the midst of significant reductions in local funding for 2025, the Board
and leadership team conducted a careful evaluation of outside funding options, including HUD’s
Continuum of Care program. After an in-depth review of the FY2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity, national analysis, and consultation with rural housing partners, ACSRC determined that the new federal requirements would ultimately do more harm than good — restricting local control, conflicting with proven rural practices, and creating barriers for the very individuals the program is designed to help would prove to be a detriment to the program rather than an improvement.
The FY2025 CoC rules would:
“These federal changes would force us to choose between compliance and effective service, Moore said. “That is not a choice we are willing to make when someone’s life, their stability, and
their safety is on the line. ACSRC is not willing to accept funding that takes away local control
or poses delays in providing the support that our residents desperately need.”
A critical call for local support
To keep the Summit Transitional Housing Program fully operational, ACSRC is turning to the
community for help.
The organization currently has more than $300,000 in Missouri Neighborhood Assistance
Program tax credits, allowing approved business donors to receive 70% of their
contribution back as a Missouri tax credit.
If ACSRC secures the necessary NAP-eligible donations before Dec. 31, ACSRC will have the
ability to continue serving the community for at least two more years. While current NAP tax
credits do not expire until June 30, it may not qualify for another NAP allocation in the future,
or may receive a significantly reduced amount.
“Our community built this program,” Moore said. “The people who have seen Summit in action, including its outcomes, its compassion, and its impact, are strong believers in the power it holds. Now we need local partners such as businesses, donors, civic groups, and individuals to help us protect it. Every contribution is an investment in safety, stability, and hope for the people who live right here in Audrain County.”
ACSRC encourages anyone unfamiliar with the Summit Transitional Housing Program, its
services, or its impact to reach out. Moore welcomes opportunities to speak with civic groups,
organizations, churches, businesses, or individuals who want to learn more, the release stated.
“I am more than happy to share information about our programs with anyone who wants to
understand how and why we do what we do,” Moore said. “Crisis response may open the door,
but it’s not where our work ends. What makes ACSRC’s Summit Transitional Housing program
truly different is our unwavering commitment to stability that lasts. We don’t just meet people in
their moment of crisis; we stand with them as they rebuild their lives. We listen to their stories,
honor their strength, and create personalized plans that turn uncertainty into hope and hope into
lasting change. ACSRC’s services don’t stop with an emergency winter shelter; they serve as a
steppingstone toward sustainable, long-lasting housing stability through a variety of programs.
We are profoundly proud of every person who begins their new chapter at the Summit.”
How you can help
Anyone can support ACSRC’s programs, including:
“Stability shouldn’t be a privilege,” Moore said. “It should be something every person in Audrain County can reach. Together, we can make sure that’s possible. One simple way individuals can help is by joining our Community Advocate Program, which allows supporters to make small monthly contributions that create a big impact throughout the year.”
The Community Advocate Program is designed for individuals who want to make a meaningful
difference but may not have the ability to give a large one-time donation. By choosing a monthly
giving level that fits their budget, supporters help ACSRC maintain reliable, year-round funding
for programs like the Summit Transitional Housing, Room at the Inn, and the Laura Miller
Family Resource Center. This dependable support strengthens ACSRC’s ability to respond
quickly to emergencies, fill service gaps, and provide consistent care to individuals and families
facing housing instability.
Monthly contributions through the Community Advocate Program directly support essentials
such as case management services, program supplies, participant needs, and operational stability.
Advocates receive regular updates on the impact of their support, invitations to special events,
and recognition for the role they play in creating a safer, more stable Audrain County. By joining, community members become part of a committed network that is changing lives one month at a time.
