Twenty local agencies that help fight homelessness will receive $5.8 million in federal stimulus funds, the United Way of Central Indiana announced today.

The grants range from $100,000 awarded to Indiana Legal Services Inc. to $478,800 to HealthNet Inc. for its Homeless Initiative Program.

The funding comes through the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the money will help an estimated 2,044 households, according to United Way.

Indianapolis and the state were awarded the money in May, but handed off administration of the local funds to the United Way. The United Way took requests for the funds through mid-August before choosing the recipients.

“These 20 grantees will help give more of our neighbors one of the most basic human needs: a safe place to call home,” said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, in a written statement. “We are excited to be able to award these funds to such deserving institutions who will work to provide a better quality of life for our neighbors in need.”

For individuals and families who are at risk of becoming homeless, the funds will help pay short and medium-term rental assistance, security and utility deposits, utility payments, moving-cost assistance and motel/hotel vouchers. For those already homeless, the funds will be used to help arrange, coordinate, monitor and deliver housing-related services.

“Neighborhood-based community centers are often the first organizations that families in serious need turn to for assistance,” United Way CEO Ellen Annala said. “These organizations, along with other charitable organizations, are experiencing extraordinary requests for assistance.”

Other groups receiving grants include the Salvation Army Social Service Center ($467,000), Horizon House ($433,860), PACE/OAR Inc. ($373,000), Hawthorne Social Service Association Inc. ($370,000), Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center ($370,000) and Concord Neighborhood Center ($340,000).

Other recipients include Volunteers of America of Indiana Inc. ($330,000), Flanner House of Indianapolis Inc. ($303,000), Forest Manor Multi-Service Center Inc. ($280,000), John H. Boner Community Center ($265,000), Community Alliance of the Far Eastside Inc. ($265,000), Christamore House Family and Community Center ($240,000) and Fathers and Families Center ($240,000).

Also receiving grants are HVAF of Indiana Inc. ($237,577), Children’s Bureau Inc. ($227,000), Martin Luther King Community Center ($189,959), Oasis Christian CDC ($181,930) and Southeast Community Services Inc. ($165,000).