PORTLAND - The Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $14,298,434 to Oregon organizations serving thousands of homeless individuals and families throughout the state this week. The grants are part of nearly $1.4 billion in funding awarded to more than 5300 local homeless programs nationwide

More than $12.7 million in Continuum of Care grants were awarded competitively to Oregon programs to meet the needs of their homeless clients. This is an increase of 9.7 percent from the $11.3 million awarded last year.

Washington County is the biggest winner with funding going from $653,194 to $1,552,468, which is an increase of $1,552,468 or 138 percent

In addition, nearly $1.6 million was awarded to Oregon for Emergency Shelter Grants, which are allocated based on a formula to state and local governments to create, improve and operate emergency shelters for homeless persons. Emergency Shelter Grants are designed to move homeless persons away from a life on the street toward permanent housing.

"This federal funding is a critical component for the success of state and local government 10 year plans to end chronic homelessness," said HUD Portland Field Office Director, Tom Cusack. "Cities, counties, faith based and community nonprofit agencies throughout Oregon depend on this funding to provide housing and supportive services to some of our most vulnerable neighbors."

An example of one of the programs funded is The Inn Home, a local non-profit organization that serves homeless youth, operates a supportive housing program for pregnant and parenting teens in Clackamas County, Oregon. The program's goal is to enable homeless teen parents to obtain long-term, safe housing and to achieve self-sufficiency. The program currently serves eight homeless families annually. HUD has funded this program since 1993.

HUD's funding is provided in two ways:

• HUD's Continuum of Care programs provide permanent and transitional housing to homeless persons. In
  addition, Continuum grants fund important services including job training, health care, mental health
  counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care.



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

The Goal to End Chronic Homelessness
For six years, ending chronic homelessness has been one of President Bush's national goals. Research indicates that approximately 20 percent of all homeless persons experience long-term or chronic homelessness. These studies conclude that this hardest-to-serve population utilizes more than half of all emergency shelter resources designed
to assist homeless individuals and families. By shifting the federal emphasis toward meeting the needs of the most vulnerable homeless persons, more resources become available for those who experience situational homelessness.

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, and 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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