HUD ANNOUNCES $8.8 MILLION IN GRANTS TO HOUSE AND SERVE
HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN MAINE

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Director Taylor Caswell today joined officials from the State of Maine, the City of Portland, and from Bangor/Penobscot County to deliver more than $8.8 million in HUD funding to house and serve homeless individuals and families in Maine.

This funding is part of more than $1.33 billion being awarded nationwide. Included in the funding announced today
is $8,029,580 to support 49 programs throughout Maine which are expected to provide critically needed assistance
to persons and families living without a home of their own.

"Whether recipients use this funding for basic shelter needs, transitional or permanent housing, or for job training
and support services, these grants will help move homeless individuals away from a life on the street toward self-sufficiency and a better way of life," said Taylor Caswell, HUD's New England regional director.

The funding announcement was made at the YWCA of Greater Portland, a local agency providing services to thousands of people in greater Portland.

In this funding announcement, the YWCA received a grant in the amount of $130,179 for its Teen Parent
Transitional Housing Program. This program will facilitate the successful transition of homeless teen parent families with children to independent living. The YWCA provides diverse supportive services through comprehensive outreach programs because some young families lack the skills to care for themselves and their children in an apartment and, without a stable place to live, cannot attend to nor acquire educational, vocational and/or job preparation skills necessary for their eventual employment and self-sufficiency. A supervised housing program which provides on-site independent living skills assistance, an employment assistance program, and augmented employment counseling, job placement and job training programs will be established. It is expected that with this funding, 11 families will be served.

The YWCA is also receiving $30,119 from the City of Portland's funding for the Women's Shelter and Residence in
the YWCA building.

HUD's homeless funding, the largest federal grant program, is provided through two programs: Continuum of Care grants, and Emergency Shelter Grants.

Continuum of Care grants fund a wide variety of programs, from street outreach and assessment programs to transitional and permanent housing for homeless persons and families. In addition, Continuum grants fund important services such as job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care. Continuum grants are awarded competitively to Continuums of Care, which submit applications on behalf of a
number of area homeless service providers.

In Maine, a total of $8,029,580 was awarded in Continuum grants, which is an increase over last year's funding of $7,790,438. The City of Portland was awarded $2,502,206 in Continuum of Care grants. Bangor/Penobscot County was awarded $1,069,377, and the State of Maine was awarded $4,457,997.

Emergency Shelter Grants convert buildings into homeless shelters, assist in the operation of local shelters and
fund related social service and homeless prevention programs. Emergency Shelter Grants 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.

In Maine, a total of $863,246 has been awarded in Emergency Shelter Grants ($94,419 to the City of Portland, and $768,827 to the State of Maine).

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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