WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Jan. 29 awarded $2.5 billion to renew support to thousands of local homeless assistance programs across the nation.
According to a release, HUD’s Continuum of Care (CoC) grants will provide critically needed support to 6,597 local programs on the front lines of serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
In New Jersey, HUD renewed its funding to 218 Continuums of Cares across the state. Homeless services providers received $52,486,276 to assist homeless individuals and families, and all New Jerseyans at risk of becoming homeless. Covid presented new challenges to these grantees, and HUD aims to assist them in keeping our communities safe.
Due to the pandemic, the funding announced renews grants for existing programs. This process was dramatically streamlined because communities have been and will continue to be consumed with Covid response and have limited capacity to participate in the traditional CoC competition.
“HUD wants to ensure that thousands of local homeless assistance providers continue to receive federal funds needed to provide stable housing for people experiencing homelessness during these trying times,” stated Acting HUD Secretary Matt Ammon. “Renewing these grants not only offers relief to our local partners but it allows Continuums of Care to continue their work to end homelessness and help keep our most vulnerable neighbors off the streets.”
“We are excited about the opportunity to provide funding without diverting the attention of communities from the vital work of preventing, preparing for, and responding to the pandemic,” stated James Arthur Jemison, principal deputy assistant secretary for Community Planning and Development.
“HUD’s grantees that provide homelessness prevention and services are the frontline of day-to-day housing challenges, and HUD is committed to streamlining their funding process during the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated Justin Scheid, HUD Newark Field Office director. “Continuums of Care in the state are invaluable resources for those in need, and they are committed to keeping our communities safe.”
HUD’s Continuum of Care grant funding supports a broad array of interventions designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those living in places not meant for habitation, located in sheltering programs, or at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness.
Each year, HUD serves more than a million people through emergency shelter, transitional, and permanent housing programs.
