HUD AWARDS $108,000 TO VALENCIA SHELTER SERVICES IN LOS LUNAS TO CONTINUE HELPING HOMELESS VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

ALBUQUERQUE - U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded $108,698 to Valencia Shelter Services for Victims of Domestic Violence in Los Lunas, New Mexico. Provided through HUD's Continuum of Care programs, the funding announced today will ensure that the program remains operating in the coming year. This is HUD's second round of FY 2012 homeless renewal grant awards. This past March, HUD awarded renewal grants to hundreds of other existing local programs, and will make a third round of funding to support selected new projects later this year.

"We know these modest investments in housing and services to our homeless neighbors not only saves money, but saves lives," said Donovan. "These local programs are on the front lines of the Obama Administration's efforts to prevent and end homelessness as we know it once and for all."

HUD's Continuum of Care grants are awarded competitively to local projects to meet the needs of their homeless clients. The grants fund a wide variety of programs from street outreach and assessment programs to transitional and permanent housing for homeless persons and families.

While the Fiscal Year 2012 funds awarded today are not impacted by the automatic across-the-board budget cuts under sequestration that began March 1st, Donovan cautioned that future budget cuts may reverse significant reported declines in homelessness: "During this challenging budget climate, we must make certain that we don't balance our books on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens. When we make even modest investments in these programs, we see a measureable decline in homelessness."

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