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The city was one of 40 organizations to recieve homeless assistance programs in the state to receive grants, which totaled more than $6 million statewide and $72 million nationally. This is the second of three rounds of funding HUD is expected to award this year, following $1.54 million in grants in March.
Three locations in White Plains also were awarded a total of nearly $300,000 in total.
HUD awards these grants to local projects to support services like street outreach, assessment programs and transitional and permanent housing for the homeless.
In a statement, Shaun Donovan, the secretary for HUD said that while they aren’t the largest grants municipalities will receive, any step to create affordable housing is a step forward.
“We know these modest investments in housing and serving our homeless neighbors not only saves money, but saves lives,” he said. “These local programs are on the front lines of the Obama administration’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness as we know it once and for all.”
Homelessness in New York rose overall 9.6 percent in 2012, despite significant declines in long-term homeless and veterans. The number of sheltered and unsheltered families with children increased in 2012, according to HUD.
Another round of funding is expected later this year. But Donovan warns that the sequestration that began March 1 may impact future funds.
“During this challenging budget climate, we must make certain that we don’t balance our books on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens,” he added. “When we make even modest investments in these programs, we see a measurable decline in homelessness.”
It remains uncertain where exactly the grant money the city received will be allocated, just that it will be used to help the homeless in the city.
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