HUD AWARDS $636,000 GRANT TO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN
ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Acting Secretary's Representative for the Great Plains
Stan Quy announced today a $636,000 grant for homeless assistance in the St. Joseph area. The funding will help local homeless individuals and families obtain housing, receive job training, mental health services, substance abuse treatment and other services they need to escape homelessness and become self sufficient.

The assistance announced today is part of HUD's Continuum of Care approach to address homelessness. The
funding will go to Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) to provide 30 units of housing in St. Joe that will
serve approximately 55 individuals (20 singles and 10 families). DMH will target homeless populations that are
hardest to reach and serve–the mentally ill, chronic substance abusers, HIV/AIDS and individuals with
developmental disabilities.

"Intervention is the key to turning around the lives of the homeless," said Stan Quy, HUD Secretary's Representative for the Great Plains. "The funding announced today will help provide the flexible framework for this community to use in providing the much needed outreach and assessment, emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing and permanent supportive housing that help the homeless become self-sufficient."

The HUD grant will pay for five years of rental assistance. An equal amount of supportive services will be provided
by local service provider applicants. The Economic Opportunity Corporation will administer the housing units for DMH. Supportive services may be provided from among the following agencies: Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St.
Joseph, Inc., Economic Opportunity Corporation, Family Guidance Center, Health Department HIV/AIDS Program, Interfaith Community Services, Inc., Oxford House, Salvation Army, The Window and Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA).

The Continuum of Care grants were first awarded by HUD in 1994 and have helped more than 400,000 homeless individuals nationwide get housing and jobs. The Continuum of Care Program is the centerpiece of the federal policy addressing homelessness and is a recipient of Harvard University and the Ford Foundation's prestigious Innovations
in American Government Award. The competitive grants are awarded to states, local governments and non-profit groups based on a number of factors that measure the effectiveness of their plans.

According to a recent HUD study, the majority of homeless families who receive housing and support services ultimately find an improved living situation. Homelessness: Programs and People They Serve found that 76 percent
of homeless persons living in families and 60 percent of homeless individuals ceased being homeless after completion
of the assistance program.

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