HUD awards $5 million for homeless programs

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $5 million to 20 homeless projects in DeKalb County. These HUD Continuum of Care program grants support national efforts to prevent and end homelessness. The grants also fund local efforts to permanently house and support those experiencing homelessness in the county.

Project funds are restricted to serve the most vulnerable homeless populations as defined by HUD. Priority is given to the chronically homeless (those who have been homeless the longest), veterans, families and youth.

DeKalb has made steady progress reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness through increased outreach, streamlined access to services, prioritization of those who are in greatest need and by rapidly connecting them with permanent housing solutions.

HUD awarded approximately $2.01 billion to homeless projects across the United States through a competitive Notice of Funding Availability process. The DeKalb County Community Development Department coordinated the 2017 local competition process, developed and submitted the winning NOFA application and successfully competed against 450 CoCs nationwide. The consolidated application submitted by the department secured funds for new and renewal permanent housing projects, the Homeless Management Information System, a planning grant and funds to implement a coordinated entry system.