Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless
Secures nearly $10 million in HUD funding

The Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless (NSCH) (www.nsch.org/) recently announced the receipt of almost $10 million to continue to aid Long Island's growing homeless population. The monies will be distributed to 22 different Long Island-based organizations from HUD's Continuum of Care Program. The majority of the monies secured will be used to create and maintain essential housing for the thousands of homeless individuals and families in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Funds will also be used for support services such as counseling, vocational training, job placement, case management, and legal services.

(Center from Left): Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless (NSCH) Board of Directors Chair Peter Barnett; NSCH Executive Director Joan Noguera; and NSCH Associate Director Greta Guarton accept a check for nearly $10 million from HUD Regional Coordinator Carleton K. Lewis to provide housing and support services for Long Island's homeless.

"Thousands of Long Islanders are homeless, or at risk of homelessness," commented NSCH Executive Director Joan Noguera."The funding from HUD will help to provide assistance so those who are homeless can obtain a permanent place to live, along with much needed support services."

These grants reflect HUD's ongoing commitment to increasing assistance to people who are homeless through its Continuum of Care initiative. The program brings together non-profit groups, the private sector, state, and local governments to design programs to help those who are homeless to be more self-sufficient.

"Through the efforts of organizations such the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless, we will one day be able to end homelessness," commented Carleton K. Lewis, Regional Interagency Homeless Coordinator, who was present at NSCH press conference on Friday, January 13, 2006 in Mineola.

The Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless (NSCH) is a bi-county membership organization whose mission is to reduce homelessness on Long Island. Since its creation in 1985, NSCH has grown to coordinate the efforts of nearly 125 member agencies that provide housing and services for people who are homeless. NSCH also administers the Continuum of Care program and provides technical assistance to organizations interested in developing affordable housing.