U.S. Housing and Urban Development awarded more than $216 million to nearly 700 new homeless programs across the country. The grant announced are $26 million more than last year’s grants and, combined with renewal funding announced earlier this year, represents the most homelessness assistance ever awarded by HUD. HUD is also continuing to confront rural homelessness by targeting a record $16.4 million to 87 never-before-funded programs in less populated areas of the country. In January, HUD awarded more than $1.4 billion in Continuum of Care grants to renew funding to 7,000 existing local homeless programs.

HUD’s Continuum of Care grants fund a wide range of transitional and permanent housing programs as well as supportive services such as, job training, case management, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and child care. Chicago based organizations that received HUD funding included, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Alexian Brothers Bonaventure House, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, Housing Opportunities for Women, Inc., La Casa Norte, North Side Housing and Supportive Services, Inc., and Renaissance Social Services, Inc. For more information, visit www.HUD.gov.