More Than $4 Million in HUD Grants Awarded to Arkansas

Nationwide, the grants totaled more than $2 billion.

The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded more than $109 million in grants Thursday to homeless programs across IL, and a fair amount of those funds were disbursed around northern IL. "We know how to end homelessness and it starts with embracing a housing-first approach that relies upon proven strategies that offer permanent housing solutions".

"We are delighted that the El Dorado County Opportunity Knocks program was recognized for these grants as they will greatly increase the vital services that homeless individuals need to help get them off the streets and on to a better way of life", said Patricia Charles-Heathers, El Dorado County's Health and Human Services Director.

At present, there are over 7,300 programs helping the homeless throughout the United States. "HUD will continue to support these evidence-based efforts to further the goal of eliminating homelessness both locally and nationally".

The largest share of those funds, more than $380 million, went to California for 900 programs, almost half of which went to the Southern California area.

According to HUD's 2017 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, homelessness is on the rise.

A significant increase in the number of reported persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness, particularly in high-cost rental markets where there is a significant shortage of affordable housing. The number of families with children experiencing homelessness declined 76 percent since 2016 and 95 percent since 2010. That was 0.7 percent higher than in 2016. In addition, veteran homelessness increased by 1.5 percent, chronic homelessness increased by 12.2 percent and family homelessness declined by 5.4 percent.

Across the country, HUD has launched "Continuums of Care" composed of volunteers trying to count the homeless population. HUD estimates there were 17,565 persons experiencing homelessness in MA on a single night in 2017, a decrease of 10.4 percent since the prior year.