The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced the first set of communities to receive grants and vouchers to address homelessness among people in unsheltered settings and in rural communities. The delaration totals nearly $315 million in grants to 46 communities. In the coming weeks, HUD will be awarding grants to an additional set of communities, as well as allocating housing vouchers to awarded communities. Together, these grants and vouchers comprise a first-of-its-kind package of resources to help communities provide housing and supportive services to people in unsheltered settings and people experiencing homelessness in rural areas. Communities were also asked to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing unsheltered and rural homelessness that involves coordination with health care providers, other housing agencies such as public housing authorities, and people with lived experience. The full list of grantees is available here.
This funding initiative is also the first in which HUD has coordinated grants and housing vouchers. In response to the competitive special Notice of Funding Opportunity, Continuum of Care collaborative applicants were asked to formally partner with public housing authorities to leverage access to housing resources. Public housing authorities that are partnering with awarded CoC grantees will receive priority for approximately 4,000 Housing Choice “Stability” Vouchers that allow people experiencing homelessness to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing.
The resources announced build upon the momentum and renewed political will at all levels of government to solve homelessness through the provision of housing with supportive services. They respond directly to the calls from state and local leaders, advocates, and people with lived experience for more federal assistance to address unsheltered and rural homelessness specifically. And they provide communities with the resources and tools to respond to homeless encampments humanely and effectively and to avoid approaches that criminalize homelessness.
To make this announcement, HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge traveled to Chicago, Illinois to present a $60 million grant to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, All Chicago, and other members of the Chicago Continuum of Care (CoC), which coordinates the city’s response to homelessness. The Chicago CoC is using these resources to implement a comprehensive plan to reduce unsheltered homelessness that strengthens homeless outreach, provides rapid access to permanent housing and supportive services, and which was developed with the leadership and support of people with lived experience of unsheltered homelessness. The city’s plan also leverages health, behavioral health, and supportive services from partner organizations, as well as housing resources administered by the Chicago Housing Authority. HUD leaders will make similar announcements across the country to elevate local investments.
More information on HUD’s work to address homelessness can be found here.
A full list of grant awards can be found here.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.