Colorado receives $29M in HUD homeless funds

Colorado organizations that fight homelessness will share $29 million in grant money for fiscal year 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said Tuesday.

The grant will be distributed to 79 programs for the homeless and will help provide housing and support services to individuals and families across the state.

The Continuum of Care grant money is distributed annually, and organizations that receive funding are required to submit an application describing the program they are seeking to fund, said Christine Bauman, spokeswoman for the regional HUD office in Denver.

Colorado received a similar amount last year.

Much of the funding provides permanent and transitional housing to people who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless.

“Finding safe, quality, affordable permanent housing is the foundation for keeping people from experiencing homelessness,” said regional administrator Rick M. Garcia. Continuing to fund organizations that serve the homeless is crucial to prevent and end homelessness throughout the Rocky Mountain region, Garcia said.

The grants also fund programs that include job training, health care, substance abuse treatment and child care.