News Release

JACKSON DELIVERS $49 MILLION TO SUPPORT HOMELESS PROGRAMS IN CHICAGO
More than 150 housing and service programs in Windy City to benefit from HUD funding

CHICAGO - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson today presented Chicago Mayor Richard Daley with $49 million in grants to support more than 150 homeless programs in the Windy City. The grants announced today will support the full spectrum or "continuum of care" for homeless individuals and families - from street outreach and emergency shelter to transitional and permanent housing.  Jackson made the presentation at a Northside apartment complex that provides permanent supporting housing to homeless persons with disabilities.  

In addition, the funding will provide critically needed services including job training, child care, substance abuse treatment and mental health. For a detailed local summary of the projects awarded funding, visit www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/homeless/budget/2007/07_illinois_totals.xls. Nationally, HUD is awarding a record $1.5 billion to more than 6,000 local housing and service programs.

"These grants will offer hope and a home to thousands of persons here in Chicago," said Jackson. "These dollars will go to local organizations that  will literally save lives, helping to find housing and services for the most vulnerable among us."

Daley said, "In our effort to end homelessness, one of our most constant and important partners has been the Department of Housing and Urban Development. That's why I am happy that Secretary Jackson is with us today to see and hear about the ways federal funding helps us move toward our goal of ending homelessness."

Since 2001, HUD has awarded more than $294 million in funding to the City of Chicago to support the housing and service needs of homeless individuals and families.  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 provide funds for the operation of local shelters and fund related social service and homeless prevention programs. These funds may also support essential services including job training, health care, drug/alcohol treatment, childcare 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.

###

Highlights of HUD's Homeless Assistance

• An unprecedented number of local programs (146) will receive $45,315,110 in Continuum of Care grants.
• Chicago will also receive $3.7 million in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funding
• 35 of the project awards being announced today target individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.  Total funding to these projects is more than $14.6 million, a commitment that directly supports the national goal of ending chronic homelessness.
• More than $28 million is being awarded to projects that provide permanent housing solutions for homeless persons in the Windy City.
• 50 local projects that primarily serve families with children will receive $16.5 million.
• Programs that primarily serve victims of domestic violence will receive $873,898.
• $349,694 is being awarded to Chicago projects that primarily target homeless veterans.
• 36 of the projects funded today are dedicated to providing housing and support services to severely mentally ill clients, totaling $9.5 million.  These persons are at high risk of experiencing long-term or chronic homelessness.
• $13.6 million will support 48 local programs that primarily help homeless individuals with substance abuse problems.

NOTE: To read the Prepared Remarks for Secretary Jackson, visit http://www.hud.gov/news/speeches/2008-01-29.cfm