SECRETARY DONOVAN AWARDS $23.2 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDING TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON STATE
Homeless Prevention & Rapid Re-housing Grants Go to Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County and State of Washington

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded $23,217,666 to
seven grantees in Washington state to rapidly re-house families who fall into homelessness, or prevent them from becoming homeless in the first place. The funding is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 to help persons and families facing a sudden financial crisis due to the economic recession.

As a result of today's announcement, $1,863,675 will be awarded to King County, $1,224,641to Pierce County, $1,262,714 to Snohomish County, $4,993,052 to Seattle, $1,564,373 to Spokane, $1,182,824 to Tacoma and $11,126,387 to the Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to serve smaller
cities and rural areas of the state.

HUD's new Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) provides a total of $1.5 billion for
communities to provide short- and medium-term rental assistance and services to either prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless or help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized.

"This is money that will not only spare families the hardships of homelessness, but will save taxpayers significant money in the long run," said Donovan. "Often times, a little bit of financial assistance can make all the difference between finding a stable home and being forced to live in a shelter or on the streets."

Grants provided under HPRP are not intended to provide long-term support for individuals and families, nor will afford mortgage assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure. Rather, HPRP offers a variety of short- and medium-term financial assistance to those who would otherwise become homeless, many due to sudden economic crisis. This
can include short-term rental assistance (up to three months), medium-term rental assistance (up to 18 months),
security deposits, utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance, and hotel vouchers. Payments will
not be made directly to households, but only to third parties, such as landlords or utility companies.

The program also provides assistance to rapidly re-house persons who are homeless and likely to remain stably housed, whether subsidized or unsubsidized, once the HPRP assistance concludes.

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; 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.