Georgia Receives $26.8 Million from HUD

Federal funds will support more than 100 homeless programs in Georgia

ATLANTA – Today Governor Sonny Perdue accepted a check for $26.8 million from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Assistant Secretary Carolyn Peoples to provide shelter and care for homeless families in Georgia.

The funding represents a six percent increase, or nearly $1.7 million more than the federal funding in FY 2004. The funding for Georgia is part of more than $1.4 billion announced by HUD nationwide.

“These federal dollars will be used to help get homeless families back on their feet and encourage them to become financially independent in the future,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “I am pleased with the work we’re doing through the Interagency Homeless Coordination Council, which was instrumental in securing this grant money.”

By Executive Order, Governor Perdue created the Interagency Homeless Taskforce Coordination Council, co-chaired by representatives from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Department of Human Resources (DHR), in February 2004. The Council presented a Georgia Homeless Action Plan and has now been charged by the Governor to begin to implement strategies directed at ending chronic homelessness within ten years.

“President Bush, HUD Secretary Jackson and I would like to thank Governor Perdue for accepting these funds today,” said HUD Assistant Secretary Carolyn Peoples. “This historic level of funding in Georgia will go directly to those on the front lines who work tirelessly everyday to bring an end to chronic homelessness, and who provide services to the many individuals and families without a home of their own.”

HUD’s funding is provided in two ways:

• Continuum of Care grants provide permanent and transitional housing to homeless persons. Continuum grants also fund services such as job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care for the homeless.
• Emergency Shelter grants convert buildings into homeless shelters, assist in the operation of local shelters and fund related social service and homeless prevention programs.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has sponsored a balance of state Continuum of Care grants since 1998. DCA’s 2004 Continuum program was federally funded with more than $9 million, representing 28 grants to provide almost 500 permanent or transitional housing beds to homeless persons in Georgia. Since 1996, the state’s efforts have included:

• 633 units of permanent housing with 521 units in use
• 253 new housing units underway for homeless persons with disabilities
• Nearly $30 million in resources other than HUD funds leveraged to address these resources.

“I appreciate President Bush and Governor Perdue’s commitment to end chronic homelessness for persons in Georgia,” said DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty. “By assisting organizations that serve those with chronic problems such as mental disabilities, drug dependence, or alcohol dependence, we will save taxpayer dollars in the long run.”

This is the fourth consecutive year HUD has provided record funding for homeless assistance and is part of a larger federal strategy being embraced by a growing number of state and local communities to end long-term or chronic homelessness. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.