HUD AND CONGRESSMAN MICHAEL FITZPATRICK ANNOUNCE $1 MILLION IN GRANTS TO HOUSE AND SERVE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN BUCKS COUNTY

PENNDEL - Housing and Urban Development Regional Director Guy L. Ciarrocchi and U.S. Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick today announced more than $1 million to support 7 local homeless providers throughout Bucks County. These monies are expected to provide critically needed assistance to persons and families living without a home of their own.

"HUD is pleased to award these funds to these deserving organizations who have shown not only a commitment to helping those in need, but a solid plan to improve their lives," said Ciarrocchi. "This Administration continues to work with local faith-based and community organizations to strengthen local communities and help our most vulnerable neighbors."

"One of the most important facets of this program is that the grant money is targeted to successful local programs; to organizations that know where to maximize the grant's effectiveness," Fitzpatrick added. "This is federalism at
work - and it is working towards a noble goal."

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 support important services including job training, health care, mental health
  counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care. Bucks County received $894,646.00 in Continuum of Care grants.



• Emergency Shelter Grants convert buildings into homeless shelters, assist in the operation of local shelters
  and support related social service and homeless prevention programs. Bucks County received $105,389.00
  in Emergency Shelter Grants .

Penndel Mental Health Center, Inc. Executive Director Karen Graff accepted the check on behalf of the homeless providers funded in Bucks County. PMHC is a private, non-profit community mental health center, which has been providing psychiatric and social services to residents of Bucks County for over 40 years. It is dedicated to promoting community well being through the provision of comprehensive behavioral health treatment options, education and support to individuals and families of Lower Bucks County and surrounding areas.

"PMHC truly appreciates the opportunity to work with HUD in operating these programs, since finding affordable housing in Bucks County is truly a challenge for our clients," said Graff. "We learned long ago that it is very difficult
to aid our consumers in their recovery from their mental illness when they don't have a home to go to or a bed to sleep in."

More than $63 million in grants are awarded to Pennsylvania programs to meet the needs of the homeless.

The Goal to End Chronic Homelessness

For nearly five years, HUD has increasingly emphasized the Bush Administration's goal of ending chronic homelessness in its assistance programs. 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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