HUD ANNOUNCES $475,779 IN GRANTS TO HOUSE AND SERVE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN PUEBLO

DENVER - Pueblo programs that house and serve homeless persons - from emergency shelters and transitional
housing projects to permanent supportive housing programs - will receive $475,779 in funding through grants announced today by Housing and Urban Development Regional Director John Carson. The funding announced today
supports Posada's Continuum of Care. Posada provides critically needed assistance to persons and families living without a home of their own.

"Today, we take another step toward that day when we end chronic homelessness on our streets," said Carson.
"The funding we announce today will help provide homes and vital services to those who need them most - persons and families who deserve a place they can call home."

HUD's Continuum of Care programs provide permanent and transitional housing to homeless persons. In addition, Continuum grants fund important services including job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care.

Continuum of Care grants are awarded competitively to Colorado programs to meet the needs of 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.

For nearly five years, HUD has increasingly emphasized the Bush Administration's goal of ending chronic
homelessness in its assistance programs. Research indicates that approximately 10 percent of all homeless persons experience long-term or chronic homelessness. These studies also find that this hardest-to-serve population utilizes over half of all emergency shelter resources designed to assist homeless individuals and families. By shifting the federal emphasis toward meeting the needs of the most vulnerable homeless persons, more resources become available for those who experience homelessness as a temporary condition.

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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