HUD AWARDS $10 MILLION TO HELP PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING FOR PERSONS EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS
Funding targeted to persons living on the streets and addicted to alcohol

WASHINGTON - Hundreds of persons living for long periods of time on the streets because of their addiction to alcohol will have a new chance at a permanent home because of $10 million in funding announced today by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. A dozen pilot programs in 11 cities around the country are receiving two-year grants through HUD's new Housing for People Who Are Homeless and Addicted To Alcohol program, a special initiative designed to assist homeless persons who also struggle with chronic alcoholism.

"As we continue to work toward ending chronic homelessness, there is no better place to devote our energies than to offer a helping hand to those who are the hardest to help," said Jackson. "We must continue to seek creative solutions to house and serve those in the grips of alcoholism who perpetually call the streets or emergency shelters their home."

The following communities are receiving grants under HUD's new Housing for People Who Are Homeless and Addicted To Alcohol program (see attached list):

Chattanooga, Tennessee Chicago, Illinois Contra Costa, California Denver, Colorado Jacksonville, Florida

New York, New York (2 GRANTS) San Francisco, California San Jose, California Santa Cruz, California Santa Monica, California

HUD's new demonstration program was developed in close consultation with the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and is targeted to help individuals living on the streets for at least 365 days over the last five years and who also have a long-term addiction to alcohol. This initiative is supported by research that suggests as many as 150,000 persons experiencing chronic homelessness also often suffer from addiction to alcohol and tend to have the highest utilization of public facilities and services.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting persons who are homeless, the 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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