The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced new grant funding last week in the amount of $190 million for homeless assistance programs across the country.

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Continuum of Care Regional Committee on Homelessness was awarded $1,393,580 for two local programs. The funding will provide 67 permanent housing units and an end to homelessness for more than one hundred people living on the streets in the region.

“The funding announcement comes at a critical time as the recession has left more families and youth homeless,” says City of Tempe Councilmember Shana Ellis, chair of the MAG Continuum of Care Regional Committee on Homelessness.

A recent count conducted by MAG found that the number of families on the streets has increased by more than 28 percent and the number of homeless youth on the streets has increased by 30 percent.

“This funding announcement provides hope as the need is increasing and many providers are experiencing funding reductions at the state and local level,” Ellis added.

The funding will provide permanent housing and critical services to 33 homeless families and 34 homeless individuals.

Arizona Behavioral Health Corporation (ABC) will be allocated $1,056,812 to provide 51 units of permanent supportive housing for 17 homeless families and 34 homeless individuals.

Of those housed, 18 will be chronically homeless individuals who have experienced long-term homelessness. ABC will be partnering with the Regional Behavioral Health Authority to provide much-needed supportive services.     
Community Bridges, Inc., will be allocated $336,768 to provide 16 units of permanent supportive housing for homeless women and their children. The funding will provide a permanent housing solution for more than 50 women and children.  Community Bridges will also provide essential supportive services to each program participant, leading them down the path to self-sufficiency.

“Since the committee’s inception in 1999, the MAG Continuum of Care Regional Committee on Homelessness has been responsible for securing more than $196 million in homeless assistance funding for our region,” Ellis said.  “Our continued success in this area shows what can be accomplished through collaboration in challenging times.”
The new funding announcement this week is in addition to the renewal grant-funding announcement made earlier this year in the amount of $22,173,558.  The new project funding combined with the renewal project funding results in a total funding award of $23,567,138 this year for the region.