HUD ANNOUNCES THAT RECOVERY ACT FUNDING HAS PREVENTED OR ENDED HOMELESSNESS FOR NEARLY 8500 IN LOUISIANA TO DATE
New Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program has helped 750,000 Americans so far

NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today that, to date, homelessness for nearly 8500 persons in Louisiana was prevented or ended, thanks to HUD's Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP), funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Louisiana Dept. of Social Services assisted the largest number of people, 4640, through subgrants of its grant to 23 community organizations throughout the State.

Nationally, the program provided $1.5 billion to local communities across the county, and so far has kept 750,000 Americans in their homes or has helped them find other affordable housing after a sudden financial crisis, which
might have otherwise led to homelessness.

"Preventing or ending homelessness for over 750,000 Americans is a major milestone for the Recovery Act and for
the Obama Administration's Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness," said Secretary Donovan.
"Often times, a little bit of financial assistance can make all the difference between finding or keeping a stable home and being forced to live in a shelter or on the streets."

HPRP grants offer communities a resource to provide short- and medium-term rental assistance and services to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless or to quickly re-house those who are experiencing homelessness.

Grants provided under HPRP are not intended to provide long-term support for individuals and families, nor do they provide mortgage assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure. Rather, HPRP offers short- and medium-term
financial assistance and services to those who would otherwise become homeless, and those who are already in homeless shelters or living on the street, many due to sudden economic crisis.

This can include short-term rental assistance (up to three months), medium-term rental assistance (up to 18 months), security deposits, utility deposits and/or utility payments, moving cost assistance, and hotel vouchers.
The goal of the program is to prevent individuals and families from falling into permanent homelessness.

In Louisiana, the breakdown of persons assisted is as follows:

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.