HUD AWARDS $900,000 TO HELP PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING FOR PERSONS EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS IN JACKSONVILLE
Jacksonville one of 11 cities receiving grants through new pilot program

JACKSONVILLE, FL - Approximately 60 persons living for long periods of time on the streets of Jacksonville will find a permanent home because of $900,000 in funding announced today by Housing and Urban Development Southeast Regional Director Bob Young. The funding is part of $10 million HUD is providing to a dozen pilot programs in 11 cities around the country through a new program called Housing for People Who Are Homeless and Addicted To Alcohol, a special initiative designed to assist homeless persons who also struggle with chronic alcoholism.

"The investment will help prevent chronically homeless individuals in the grips of alcoholism, and is designed to help end the often continuous cycle of incarceration, emergency room visits, and short-term shelter habitation," said Young. "The program demonstrates HUD's commitment to our nation's most vulnerable citizens end represents an important step toward achieving President Bush's goal of ending chronic homelessness in America."

Young joined Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton during a downtown news conference. The funding announced today
will provide two years of housing support to a new program designed by the Emergency Services Homeless Coalition of Jacksonville and will be called Home Safe.

Young also said, "Today, we take another step toward ending chronic homelessness for our hardest-to-house, hardest-to-serve neighbors. One by one, we will offer a new life for those whose only life has been a life on the streets."

HUD has worked closely with the Interagency Council for the Homeless to design this new demonstration program
that targets individuals living on the streets for at least 365 days over the last five years and who also have a
long-term addiction to alcohol. This initiative is supported by research that suggests as many as 150,000 persons experiencing chronic homelessness also often suffer from addiction to alcohol and tend to have the highest
utilization of public facilities and services.

The following communities are receiving grants under HUD's new Housing for People Who Are Homeless and Addicted To Alcohol program (see list below):

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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