Montgomery County council looks to help migrant respite center with $2.2 million grant
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — A center that helps migrants in Montgomery County said its federal funding is ending and now there’s a request from the Montgomery County Council for a $ 2.2 million grant to help the center.
The request for $2,261,663 in grant money will go to the Montgomery County Respite Center which opened with the non-profit SAMU First Response in June 2022. The center helps migrants who arrive in the Washington Metropolitan Region.
Officials say the center started around the time Texas was bussing migrants to The Washington Metropolitan Area.
Officials with SAMU First Response reported that from June 21, 2022, to November 10, 2023, a total of 4,121 people, and 922 families had been served in the County’s Respite Center. The service provided is for 3 to 5 nights.
Funding for nonprofits is through the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program and funding ends on December 31
Migrants continue to pour into DC. This is their journey.
Officials said the request for the over $2.2 million from Montgomery County Council will provide services, including emergency shelter, food, and transportation for migrants arriving and needing respite services in the county.
In a meeting with several county committees including the Montgomery County Health and Human Services Committee, the grant funds are expected to come from the general fund undesignated reserves in Montgomery County’s FY24 operating budget.
The Council introduced the proposal on November 7 and the Council held a public hearing on November 28.
If approved this would be the first county funding to this program. council staff recommends the council receive an implementation status report in April 2024.
Montgomery County Council is scheduled to take on the request on December 12.
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