HUD Homes / VA Homes News

A record number of local homeless programs across America will receive $1.5 billion in grants by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This record-breaking level of funding will offer transitional and permanent supportive housing to more than 168,000 homeless individuals and families across the nation.

"These grants will reach into every corner of the nation, helping individuals and families to move beyond the cycle of homelessness," said HUD Deputy Secretary Roy A. Bernardi.

Since 2001, HUD has awarded approximately $10 billion in funding to local communities to support the housing and service needs of the homeless. This increased funding request of President Bush represents a 55% increase over funding provided in 2001.

HUD's funding will be provided in one of two ways:

1) Continuum of Care Grants: 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. More than $1.3 billion in Continuum of Care grants are awarded competitively to local programs to meet the needs of their homeless clients. Continuum grants fund a wide variety of programs from street outreach and assessment programs to transitional and permanent housing for homeless persons and families. Half of all Continuum funding awarded today, more than $706 million, will support new and existing programs that help to pay rent and provide permanent housing for disabled homeless individuals and their families.

2) Emergency Shelter Grants: Provide funds for the operation of local shelters and fund related social service and homeless prevention programs. HUD is awarding $160 million in Emergency Shelter Grants that 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.

More about Chronic Homelessness on HUD's website.