HUD grants target housing, homelessness

WASHINGTON >> The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently awarded more than $44 million to support housing and homeless services in the state.

The funding came about one month before state advocates and volunteers will seek to reassess the homelessness needs in the state with the annual Point in Time Count.

The $44.5 million will be spread out among 148 different housing and homeless service providers in the state, according to HUD. The full list includes groups in New Haven such as Columbus House.

“This funding is critical to local Connecticut programs that are on the front lines of helping those who might otherwise be living on our streets,” said Jim Reed, HUD New England Regional Administrator in a release. “The evidence is clear that every dollar we spend on those programs that help find a stable home for our homeless neighbors not only saves money but quite literally saves lives.”

In January, the state had 3,902 persons experiencing homelessness, based on the Point in Time Count conducted that month. The Point in Time Count is required by the HUD to help track homelessness in states across the country.

The 2017 Point in Time Count in Connecticut will take place on Jan. 24, and this year will also include a Youth Count - a weeklong survey of the state that aims to understand the full extent of youth homelessness.

The Youth Count will help create a baseline of number for HUD as they assess the needs of youth homelessness, according to the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness. Those interested in volunteering for the Point in Time Count or the Youth Count can sign up at http:// cceh.org/volunteer-registration-2017/.

Connecticut has already taken significant strides in combatting homelessness and was one of the first states recognized by the federal government for ending chronic veteran homelessness in the state last year.

HUD Secretary Julian Castro said in a release the money awarded to Connecticut will be able to help the state continue its path to ending chronic homelessness and homelessness for all individuals.

“Today marks another critical investment in support of those working each and every day to house and serve our most vulnerable neighbors,” Castro said. “We know how to end homelessness and will continue to encourage our local partners to use the latest evidence to achieve success. These grants support proven strategies to end homelessness once and for all.”