HUD AWARDS $6.5 MILLION TO HELP PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING TO HELP END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS
Community organizations in 10 States to move homeless persons away from a life on the streets

WASHINGTON - Hundreds of persons experiencing long-term or chronic homelessness will no longer be living on the streets of 13 communities because of $6.5 million in funding announced today by Housing and Urban Development Acting Secretary Alphonso Jackson. Jackson made the announcement during a White House meeting of the Interagency Council of Homelessness.

HUD is providing this funding from the Department's HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) to develop permanent rental housing for the hardest-to-serve homeless individuals who may also be living with a disability,
mental illness or an addiction. The projects must be carried out by local community-based nonprofit organizations.

"Denver is one of 13 jurisdictions receiving a $500,000 grant," said Regional Director John Carson. "This funding
award will aid the city of Denver in its on-going efforts as part of the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative (MDHI) to expand services and housing and to improve both discharge planning and the coordination of mainstream resources
to benefit chronically homeless persons," said Carson.

The city of Denver Commission on Homelessness was established in 2003 to create a comprehensive Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in 10 years. The Plan will consider the needs of many special populations included among the homeless: veterans, families with children, unaccompanied youth, undocumented immigrants, women, people with HIV/AIDS, and seniors.

The Commission is collaborating with local and state governments, business and local communities, homeless
service providers, the MDHI, and consumers to address policy and practical issues including housing, public safety,
emergency shelter, community and economic development, and supportive services.

"This funding not only supports the Administration's goal of ending the cycle of homelessness but will offer real hope to some of our hardest-to-serve neighbors," said Jackson. "We will continue to work side-by-side with our local partners to help find real housing solutions for those who need our help most."

The funding announced today will help community housing development organizations (CHDOs) to move individuals who experience long-term or chronic homelessness off the streets and into permanent rental housing.

Last December, HUD awarded record $1.27 billion to thousands of local homeless assistance projects around the country. This unprecedented commitment helps support emergency shelter, transitional housing, vital services and
a permanent home for homeless individuals and families. In addition, the Bush Administration is fashioning a more coordinated federal response to homelessness in America through the Interagency Council on Homelessness and its
20 member agencies.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, 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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Note: For more details and to arrange an interview with John Carson, Regional Director, located here in Denver at
the Region VIII HUD Office, just call Jane Goin @ (303) 672-5440.