Philadelphia Agencies Get Increase In Funding To Help Curb Homelessness
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia is getting an uptick in federal funding to help tackle homelessness, meaning more permanent housing for those who need it.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro announced $355-million in funding Monday to pay for permanent housing. This second round brings this year's investment in ending homelessness to $2 billion.
"This administration believes ending homelessness is possible," Castro said.
Castro's announcement includes more than $43-million for Philadelphia-area agencies -- just part of the more than $120-million slated for Pennsylvania. Sister Mary Scullion of Project Home says the money will renew current housing programs and provide additional funds, as well.
"Sixty more units of housing for people who are homeless," Scullion said. "The single most important thing to ending homelessness is affordable housing and we have a huge need in Philadelphia."
The money will also pay for rapid rehousing programs that catch families before they spiral into homelessness. Philadelphia agencies received more than $4-million dollars last year.
HUD reports family homelessness is down 19 percent; and homeless veterans down 36 percent.
Click the links below for more on recent grants to Pennsylvania:
- https://www.hudexchange.info/onecpd/assets/File/2015-pennsylvania-coc-grants.pdf
- http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=FY2015_Continuum_of_Care.pdf
