BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES RECORD $1.27 BILLION TO HELP HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
$8,032,539 Million for East Central Florida

ORLANDO - Thousands of local programs that house and serve the homeless are being awarded nearly $1.3 billion in grants announced today by Housing and Urban Development Acting Secretary Alphonso Jackson. Never before has any federal agency awarded so much financial assistance to help the homeless. HUD's grants include a record $8,032,539 million in funding to the following Continuum of Cares (network of homeless providers) in the Orlando
Field Office jurisdiction and a statewide total of $51,396,280.

Today's announcement is also part of a larger federal strategy being embraced by state and local leaders to end
long-term or chronic homelessness for persons who are mentally ill, addicted or physically disabled. To date, more than 60 states, cities and county governments are developing their own 10-year plans to end chronic homelessness. This is also the third consecutive year funding for homeless assistance has increased to record levels.

"Today's announcement is another example of the Bush Administration's commitment to help homeless individuals
and families move beyond a life on the streets," said Jackson. "These grants renew our pledge to thousands of local programs who are on the front lines of helping house and serve our homeless neighbors."

HUD is awarding two types of grants:

• Continuum of Care grants provide permanent and transitional housing to homeless persons. In addition, these Continuum grants fund services like job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care.
  
  
• Emergency Shelter Grants convert buildings into homeless shelters, assist in the operation of local shelters
  and fund related social service and homeless prevention programs.

HUD's Continuum of Care and Emergency Shelter Grant programs will provide critically needed funding to more than 3,700 local programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As a result, over 700,000 persons will receive the housing and services they need to become self-sufficient.

Most of the funding announced throughout Florida today, $51.396 million in Continuum of Care grants, is awarded competitively to local programs to meet the needs of their homeless clients. Continuum grants fund outreach and assessment programs at the local level as well as provide transitional and permanent housing to homeless persons
and families

Continuum of Care grants are awarded competitively to local programs to meet the needs of their homeless clients. Continuum grants fund outreach and assessment programs at the local level as well as provide transitional and permanent housing to homeless persons and families.

By contrast, $6.9 million in Emergency Shelter Grants are being awarded to eligible communities throughout State
of Florida based on a formula of a community's need. Emergency Shelter Grants help state and local governments create, improve and operate emergency shelters for homeless people. In addition, these grants may also support essential services including job training, health care, drug/alcohol treatment, childcare and homelessness prevention activities.

Approximately $140 million of the Continuum grants awarded nationally will renew funding of existing programs
through HUD's Shelter Plus Care program which helps to pay rent and provide permanent housing for disabled
homeless individuals and their families. The Shelter Plus Care program requires that HUD-funded projects help their clients live independently and provide needed supportive services from funding sources other than HUD.

For nearly three 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 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 at and espanol.hud.gov.

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