News Release

HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $9.4 MILLION IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT DOZENS OF HOMELESS PROGRAMS IN ATLANTA, DEKALB AND FULTON COUNTIES

ATLANTA - Dozens of homeless programs in the City of Atlanta, as well as DeKalb and Fulton Counties, will receive more than $9.4 million in grants awarded today by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. Philip F. Mangano, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, made the announcement during a news conference with Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin today at City Hall.

The Atlanta-area funding is part of nearly $28 million awarded throughout Georgia - an increase of more than $2.3 million over last year. Nationwide, $1.4 billion in HUD grants will support a record number of local programs, providing critically needed emergency shelter, transitional housing and permanent support more than 150,000 individuals and families.

"These grants will support thousands of local programs that are on the front lines of helping those who might otherwise be living on our streets," said HUD Secretary Alphonso 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."

Mangano said, "This record level of funding for Atlanta and Fulton and DeKalb Counties is a tangible expression of their strong partnership with Washington to end homelessness in the Atlanta area. Mayor Franklin and her Ten Year Plan community champion, Horace Sibley, the United Way, and the entire Continuum of Care all deserve commendation for their work to accomplish this mission."

"These grants will help support the growing needs of those in our community who need help in restoring their lives and their spirits. The City of Atlanta has been vigilant in our efforts to work collaboratively with our regional neighbors to end chronic homelessness and this funding continues to give us hope we may reach that goal," said Mayor Franklin

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 $1.2 billion in Continuum of Care grants are awarded competitively to local programs to meet the needs of their homeless clients. Continuum grants fund a wide variety of programs from street outreach and assessment programs to transitional and permanent housing for homeless persons and families. Half of all Continuum funding awarded today, nearly $618 million, will support new and existing programs that help to pay rent and provide permanent housing for disabled homeless individuals and their families (see attached summary of the funding awarded today).
• 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 $160 million in Emergency Shelter Grants that are allocated based on a formula to state and local governments 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, 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.

Since 2001, HUD has awarded approximately $9 billion in 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."

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.

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