The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners agreed Wednesday to provide $175,000 to assist families facing homelessness.

The funds are part of an emergency response to an increasing homeless population countywide, and will provide year-long housing vouchers and support services to families on the brink.

The county board approved the measure in committee two weeks ago.

More than 1,200 residents were evicted last year, and the county’s poverty rate is nearly 15 percent, 2 percent higher than 2007, officials said. In addition, demand for homelessness services climbed by roughly 20 percent this year.

The money comes from the $250,000 already budgeted under a two-year commitment the county made in 2008 to invest in supportive housing services. In its first year, the initiative served 117 households made up of 129 adults and 104 children.

The city of Ann Arbor agreed to fund eight vouchers for $159,000 earlier this year.

The Ann Arbor City-County Office of Community Development will administer the funds in contracts with local non-profit shelter and housing providers, including: SOS Community Services, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Ozone House, and the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County.