By DAVID GARRICK – dgarrick@nctimes.com

 A new federal program has helped more than 100 North County families avoid becoming homeless this winter, and several hundred more families are expected to receive assistance over the next three years.

In Southwest Riverside County, 40 families have already received assistance.

The program, which is part of the federal stimulus, provides low-income families on the verge of homelessness with money for rent, security deposits, utility bills and motel vouchers. Its official name is the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program.

The main goal is helping renters find work without having to deal with the hassles and turbulence of not having a place to live.

“We’ve been able to help people stay in their homes and focus on getting a job,” said Laura Te Velde of Interfaith Community Services.

Interfaith is among several agencies and cities that have helped distribute the money locally since November, and officials said Monday that the recession has created enormous demand for such a program. Most agencies said they have long waiting lists for assistance.

The money is being distributed in different ways, depending on where families live.

Oceanside is handling its $742,000 grant at City Hall, while Escondido recruited Interfaith to dole out its $710,000.

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