HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $10.3 MILLION IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT DOZENS OF METROPOLITAN DENVER'S HOMELESS INITIATIVES

DENVER - Dozens of homeless programs in the Metropolitan Denver Homeless Initiative will receive more than $10.3 million in grants awarded today by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. Philip F. Mangano, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and Regional Director John Carson made the announcement during a news conference with Mayor John Hickenlooper at Denver's City Hall.

HUD's homeless assistance in the Denver area represents an increase of more than $700,000 compared to last year. Nationwide, $1.4 billion in HUD grants will support a record 5,300 local programs, providing critically needed
emergency shelter, transitional housing and permanent support more than 150,000 individuals and families.

"These grants will support thousands of local programs that are on the front lines of helping those who might otherwise be living on our streets," said HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson. "Whether it's a single man living with a mental illness or a family struggling to give their children a roof over their heads, this funding is quite literally saving lives."

Mangano said, "This level of funding for Denver communities is a tangible expression of the strong partnership with Washington to end homelessness. Mayor Hickenlooper's Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness is addressing many of the root causes of homeless in Denver. He and the Ten-Year Plan community deserve commendation for
their work to accomplish this mission."

Mayor Hickenlooper added, "This grant provides another opportunity for regional cooperation and coordination to
move our homeless population from lives on the streets to lives of stability and self-sufficiency. We are grateful to
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Interagency Council on Homelessness for their support of Denver's Road Home and the work of homelessness providers throughout our region in ending chronic homelessness as we know it."

Since 2001, HUD has awarded approximately $9 billion in funding to state and local communities to support the housing and service needs of homeless persons and families. Next Year, President Bush is proposing a record level
of funding to house and serve homeless persons and families. The FY 2008 Budget seeks more than $1.6 billion through HUD's Continuum of Care and Emergency Shelter Grant programs.

HUD 's funding is provided in two ways:

• 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. More than $1.2 billion in Continuum of Care 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. Half of all Continuum funding awarded today,
  nearly $618 million, will support new and existing programs that help to pay rent and provide permanent
  housing for disabled homeless individuals and their families.
  
  
• Emergency Shelter Grants provide funds for homeless shelters, assist in the operation of local shelters
  and fund related social service and homeless prevention programs. HUD is awarding $160 million in
  Emergency Shelter Grants that are allocated based on a formula to state and local governments to
  create, improve and operate emergency shelters for homeless persons. These funds may also support
  essential services including job training, health care, drug/alcohol treatment, childcare and homelessness
  prevention activities. By helping to support emergency shelter, transitional housing and needed support
  services, Emergency Shelter Grants are designed to move homeless persons away from a life on the street
  toward permanent housing.

Jackson added, "The homeless must not become invisible or marginalized. Our response tells us much about our humanity as a people and a nation. When our fellow citizens literally need shelter from the storm, or a meal, or counseling, or help to regain their footing in life, we must be there to respond."

The Goal to End Chronic Homelessness

For six years, ending chronic homelessness has been one of President Bush's national goals. Research indicates that approximately 20 percent of all homeless persons experience long-term or chronic homelessness. These studies conclude that this hardest-to-serve population utilizes more than 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 situational homelessness.

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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 and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the
Internet and espanol.hud.gov.