HUD Awards $3.9 Million for Local Homeless Programs in Wisconsin

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro awarded $3.9 million to 19 local homeless housing and service programs across Wisconsin.  These Continuum of Care (CoC) grants support the Obama Administration’s efforts to end homelessness and build upon the $6.6 million in funding HUD awarded throughout Wisconsin through a first round of funding in March.  View a complete list of all the state and local homeless projects awarded funding.

“We know how to end homelessness and these grants support local programs that are proven to prevent and end homelessness as we’ve come to know it,” said Secretary Castro. “As we continue to make progress toward ending homelessness in this country, HUD is challenging communities to use more cost effective solutions to help those experiencing homelessness.”

“These grants will build upon existing efforts to end homelessness assisting individuals, youth and families when they need it most,” said HUD Midwest Regional Administrator, Antonio R. Riley. “It will go a long way put them on the path towards dignity and independence.”

The competition to award FY 2015 CoC grants was the most competitive ever, both locally and nationally. This is consistent with HUD’s policy goals as well as Congressional direction to stringently review performance, increase competition for CoCs, and not simply fund renewals in the FY 2015 CoC competition.

HUD strongly encouraged local applicants to prioritize their funding request very carefully, using a mix of performance data and local needs.  In addition, applicants were encouraged to submit projects that were based on research-driven approaches and supported the nation’s goals to prevent and end homelessness. As a result, local CoCs eliminated a combined $124 million in renewal funding from lower performing projects in order to apply for new housing projects. These new projects will provide permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing solutions for those experiencing homelessness.

Ultimately, the awards made today, and those awarded in March, will help us achieve the bold goals established in 2010 by President Obama and 19 federal agencies and offices that form the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) in the nation’s first-ever comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness, Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. This means continuing the progress made in reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness and setting a path to ending homelessness in this country. HUD estimates there were 564,708 persons experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2015. Since 2010, local communities around the country reported an 11 percent reduction in overall homelessness, a decline of more than 72,000 persons. During that same time, veteran homelessness fell by 36 percent; chronic homelessness declined 22 percent; and family homelessness declined by 19 percent.

HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and http://espanol.hud.gov.

You can also connect with HUD on social media and follow Secretary Castro on Twitter and Facebook or sign up for news alerts on HUD’s Email List.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.