Funding News

Washington- The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $3.16 Billion in Continuum of Care program awards for around 7000 projects providing immediate housing assistance for homeless and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. HUD’s Secretary along with the Chatham-Savannah Interagency Council made this announcement today.

HUD’s Secretary Marcia L. Fudge said, “Now, more than ever, we are doing all we can to get people off the street and into permanent homes with access to services. That is why we are making sure the service providers on the frontlines of this crisis have the resources they need. At HUD, we have served or permanently housed 1.2 million people experiencing homelessness in the last three years alone, building on President Biden’s efforts to keep Americans housed. The historic awards we are announcing today will expand community capacity to assist more people in obtaining the safety and stability of a home, along with the support they need to achieve their life goals.”

HUD’s Continuum of Care program provides grants to non-profit providers, states, and local governments for permanent and short-term housing assistance, supportive services, and other costs. The $3.16 Billion announced today is the largest Continuum of Care funding awarded to communities to address homelessness and provide resources at a time when the rates of homelessness are high. Out of $3.16 Billion, around $136 Million was available for competitive and noncompetitive Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP).

HUD, upon announcing the availability of grants to combat homelessness, advised communities to implement effective solutions that prioritize housing access. This approach focuses on directly connecting people experiencing homelessness with housing, often accompanied by supportive services, rather than making housing conditional upon completing treatment programs or achieving sobriety. Additionally, HUD expanded the Continuum of Care program’s eligible activities to include protections under the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 and to cater to the specific challenges of serving homeless populations in rural areas. These new eligible activities are designed to offer enhanced support for underserved populations.

The applicants showcased their commitment to ending homelessness by highlighting the partnerships with health agencies, and mainstream housing agencies. Many communities are focussing on reducing unsheltered homelessness via a collaborative approach.

The Biden-Harris administration has been dealing with the homelessness crisis since day one and prioritizing new resources and programs to help communities reconnect homeless people to housing. The administration has also partnered with the state and local leaders across the country to support their efforts. The investment and other efforts taken by President Biden are to increase housing supply, lower costs and protect renters including the first-ever housing supply action plan.

The Biden-Harris Administration is making its efforts to stop the rise in homelessness. President Biden also urged Congress to take further action to address homelessness and keep Americans in their homes.

HUD is committed to ending homelessness for all persons and increasing the supply of affordable housing for low income families.