HUD PRESENTS $4,084,445 TO HELP HOMELESS IN HILLSBOROUGH

TAMPA - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development presented checks totaling $4,084,445 today to eight programs operated by local organizations in Hillsborough County who help the homeless including:

Agency for Community Treatment Services, Inc. (ACTS)
Housing Authority of the City of Tampa
Mental Health Care, Inc.
The Spring of Tampa Bay, Inc.
Project Return, Inc.
Alpha House, Inc
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Petersburg

This ceremony spotlights the local focus on Acting Secretary Alphonso Jackson's recent historic announcement that nearly $1.3 billion in grants was being awarded to thousands for local programs that house and serve the homeless.���

Never before has any federal agency awarded so much financial assistance to help the homeless.� HUD's grants include a record $9.25 million in funding to the following Continuums of Care (network of homeless service providers)
in the Tampa Field Office jurisdiction and a statewide total of $51,396,280.

The 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.

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.� For a more detailed local summary of the funding announced today, visit HUD's website.

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

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.�Learn more about chronic homelessness.

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.

Grant awards for Hillsborough follow. View picture of the check presentation.

For more information, contact� Bill Kalbas, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Tampa Field Office (813) 228-2026 ext. 2112.

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2003 Homeless Assistance Continuum of Care Awards

TAMPA/HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

Agency for Community Treatment Services, Inc.� $1,209,106
Supportive Housing Program
These funds will provide supportive services, operations and administration.

Housing Authority of the City of Tampa �$698,520
Shelter Plus Care Program
This program is projected to provide subsidy for 16 one-bedroom units and 2 two-bedroom units serving 18
individuals with disabilities and their families for a five-year period.

Mental Health Care, Inc.� $598,500
Supportive Housing Program
These funds will provide supportive services and administration.

The Spring of Tampa Bay, Inc.� $532,681
Supportive Housing Program
These funds will provide supportive services, operations and administration.

Project Return, Inc.� $461,868
Supportive Housing Program
These funds will provide supportive services, operations and administration.

Alpha House, Inc.� $249,039
Supportive Housing Program
These funds will provide operations and administration.

Alpha House, Inc.� $206,456
Supportive Housing Program
These funds will provide supportive services and administration.

Catholic Charities, DOSP, Inc.� $128,275
Supportive Housing Program
These funds will provide supportive services, operations and administration.