Last Friday, the Department announced that it will award $1.27 billion to thousands of local programs that house and serve the homeless, the third consecutive year that the funding has reached record levels.

The funding will go to some 3,700 local programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, helping more than 700,000 people receive the housing and services they need to become self-sufficient.

The announcement is part of a larger federal strategy to end long-term or chronic homelessness for persons who are mentally ill, addicted or physically disabled. More than 60 states, cities and county governments are developing their own 10-year plans to end chronic homelessness.

Two types of grants received the funding: Continuum of Care and Emergency Shelter.

More than $1.1 billion in Continuum of Care grants will provide permanent and transitional housing to homeless persons. These grants fund services like job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care.

The $160 million in Emergency Shelter grants will convert buildings into homeless shelters, assist in the operation of local shelters and fund related social service and homeless prevention programs. These grants may also support essential services including job training, health care, drug/alcohol treatment, childcare and homelessness prevention activities.

More information about chronic homelessness is available on the Internet.