Homeless Programs Get $1.33 Billion In Grants
Thousands of local programs that house and serve about 172,000 homeless persons and families–from emergency shelters and transitional housing projects to permanent supportive housing programs–will receive $1.33 billion in funding through grants announced by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD).
In the past five years, HUD has awarded $6 billion in funding to state and local communities for housing and the needs of homeless persons and families in two ways:
–HUD’s Continuum of Care programs provide permanent and transitional housing to homeless persons. In addition, Continuum grants fund important services including job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care.
–Emergency Shelter Grants provides funds for homeless shelters, assists in the operation of local shelters and funds related social service and homeless prevention programs.
Combined, HUD’s Continuum of Care and Emergency Shelter Grant programs will provide funding to nearly 5,000 local programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nearly $1.2 billion in Continuum of Care grants are awarded competitively to local programs. Continuum grants fund a wide variety of programs-from street outreach and assessment to transitional and permanent housing for homeless persons and families. Half of all recent Continuum funding, nearly $600 million, will support new and existing programs that help to pay rent and provide permanent housing for disabled homeless individuals and their families.
Emergency Shelter Grants are allocated based on a formula to state and local governments to create, improve and operate emergency shelters for homeless persons. These funds may also support essential services including job training, health care, drug/alcohol treatment, childcare and homelessness prevention activities. By helping to support emergency shelter, transitional housing and needed support services, Emergency Shelter Grants are designed to move homeless persons away from a life on the street toward permanent housing.
