Several Cowlitz County social service groups hope to use $410,000 in federal stimulus dollars to create a one-stop shop for the homeless or people in danger of losing their homes.

Cowlitz County commissioners last week approved applications for the money. The applications still must be reviewed, but officials expect to receive the full amount, said Melissa Taylor, a senior planner with the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments who oversees homeless issues.

The money would come in over three years.

The Emergency Support Shelter would be the lead agency to administer the grant, and the Lower Columbia Community Action Program would run the one-stop center. Other agencies working on the plan include the Community House, Kelso Veterans of Foreign Wars, Drug Abuse Prevention Center, Lower Columbia Mental Health, Family Health Center, WorkSource, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

The plan is to consolidate homeless services in one spot and to create rapid re-housing program to get people in stable homes as soon as possible.

Anyone homeless or at risk of losing their homes would be referred to the Lower Columbia Community Action Program. There they’ll be screened to identify their needs and what benefits and programs are available to them, said Ilona Kerby of CAP.

After housing is secured, clients also would be referred to partner agencies for other services, including employment, health care and life skills. The program also would work to recruit more landlords who can offer housing to the homeless and may offer landlord incentives, according to the grant paperwork.

The stimulus funds “are a lot more flexible” than previous state homelessness dollars and should offer more help and assistance to those in need, Taylor said. For example, some of the money can be used to help prevent someone from becoming homeless, perhaps by paying overdue utility bills that will help them get back on their feet, she said.

People who are suddenly homeless due to the struggling national economy may have never needed social services before, and one centralized location will help ease them into asking for and accessing help, organizers said.

Even if someone doesn’t qualify for homeless prevention dollars, the initial screening may find other assistance that can help, Taylor said.

If the money comes in on time, the new program would start in July, Taylor said.