HUD announced on June 22 that it would release a new tranche of funds dedicated to addressing unsheltered homelessness. The funds will help decrease the unsheltered homeless population by directing assistance to individuals sleeping outside, in cars, or in other places not meant for habitation and will include $43 million in Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and $322 million in Continuum of Care (CoC) homelessness grants. Just over $54 million of the funds will be directed to programs operating in rural areas where homelessness is prevalent but less visible than in urban areas. The allocation is the first made by HUD specifically for unsheltered people experiencing homelessness and comes as many areas around the country have seen increases in the visibility of those who are without homes and living in unsheltered conditions.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that people sleeping in their cars, or in tents, or on the streets, including in rural areas, have access to decent, stable housing and services, like health care and treatment, to live with dignity and safety,” said HUD secretary Marcia L. Fudge in a statement. “Solving unsheltered homelessness means delivering help to the people who need it the most, but who have the hardest time reaching it. It means putting housing first and health care and other supportive services right after.”
The funds are expected to fund programs in 20 to 40 communities around the country and are expected to be used to support street outreach and data-collection, as well as permanent supportive housing services, temporary rental assistance, and joint transitional housing. The additional HCVs – amounting to 4,000 – will be given to individuals who are most at risk of homelessness or who are fleeing domestic violence.
Read the HUD announcement at: https://bit.ly/3OCmlQW