BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES OVER $700,000 TO SUPPORT LOCAL HOMELESS PROGRAMS IN SOUTH DAKOTA
Programs statewide will benefit from HUD funding

SIOUX FALLS - Local homeless programs throughout the state will receive over $710,000 in funding announced by
the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. HUD grants nationwide will support a record number of local programs, providing critically needed emergency shelter, transitional housing and permanent support to individuals and families.

"These grants will support South Dakota programs that are on the front lines of helping those who might otherwise
be living on our streets," said Jackson. "Whether it's a single man living with a mental illness or a family struggling to give their children a roof over their heads, this funding is quite literally saving lives."

Since 2001, HUD has awarded approximately $9 billion in national funding to state and local communities to support the housing and service needs of homeless persons and families. Next year, President Bush is proposing a record level of funding to house and serve homeless persons and families. The FY 2008 Budget seeks more than $1.6 billion through HUD's Continuum of Care and Emergency Shelter Grant programs.

Jackson added, "The homeless must not become invisible or marginalized. Our response tells us much about our humanity as a people and a nation. When our fellow citizens literally need shelter from the storm, or a meal, or counseling, or help to regain their footing in life, we must be there to respond."

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. More than $360,000 in Continuum of Care grants is awarded competitively to South Dakota programs to meet the needs of their homeless clients. The Continuum funding awarded, $364,436, will support existing programs that help to pay rent and provide permanent
  housing for disabled homeless individuals and their families, and to provide transitional housing for homeless families.



• Emergency Shelter Grants provide funds for homeless shelters, assist in the operation of local shelters
  and fund related social service and homeless prevention programs. HUD is awarding $345,962 in Emergency Shelter Grants that are allocated based on a formula to South Dakota to create, improve and operate emergency shelters for homeless persons. These funds may also support essential services including job
  training, health care, drug/alcohol treatment, child care and homelessness prevention activities. By helping
  to support emergency shelter, transitional housing and needed support services, Emergency Shelter Grants
  are designed to move homeless persons away from a life on the street toward permanent housing.

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.
To learn more about chronic homelessness, visit the HUD's Chronic Homelessness webpage.

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. For more information about FHA products, please visit www.fha.gov.

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List of South Dakota funding: