HUD ANNOUNCES OVER $5.6 MILLION IN GRANTS IN THE MOBILE, ALABAMA AREA TO HELP THE POOR, THE HOMELESS, AND THE DISABLED

MOBILE - Mobile area agencies will receive HUD grants of $5,621,012 in fiscal year 2006 for a wide range of projects. The variety of projects reflects the scope of HUD's assistance to low-income people and families: the homeless, people with disabilities, and public housing residents. HUD relies on Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), resident organizations, homeless providers and nonprofit organizations, to carry out these federal assistance programs.

Seventeen Mobile homeless providers that house and serve homeless persons will receive $2.54 million in funding through Continuum of Care grants announced today by Birmingham Housing and Urban Development Field Office Director, Cindy Yarbrough. These 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 (see attached summary of the funding awarded today).

Two non-profit organizations, Volunteers of America Southeast and the Alabama Head Injury Foundation, will receive $1.3 and $1.6 million, respectively, to construct facilities to house people with disabilities under the HUD's Section
811 program and to subsidize the residents' rents. Facilities built under the program provide tenants with supportive services that encourage independent living. Rents are affordable to people with very low incomes.

Two Housing Authorities, the Mobile Housing Board and the Prichard Housing Authority, receive funding to hire
program coordinators who link public housing residents with training opportunities, recruiters and local employers. Residents sign a contract to participate in the multi year program, which aims to move residents from welfare to
work. Residents keep increased income in escrow and use it on completion of the program to continue their
education or to help purchase a home.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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