John Rebchook is a former Rocky Mountain News reporter with more than 30 years of experience in writing and communications... 
HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, who recently visited a downtown project under construction, today announced $1 million in grants to Colorado groups.
U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced $1.04 million in new grants to assist local homeless assistance programs in Colorado. The funding will provide support to three Colorado Springs and one Denver project. The funding is to provide critically needed housing and support services to homeless individuals and families over the extended lifetime of these grants. Funding announced for Colorado was awarded to: Colorado Coalition for the Homeless/West End Lofts Supportive Housing Project, $840,860; City of Colorado Springs/Housing First Expansion, $148,024; Homeward Pikes Peak/Housing First Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs; $32,255; and Youth Ventures of Colorado/Transitional Living Program in Colorado Springs, $20,000.
Last December, HUD awarded nearly $17.5 million through its Continuum of Care programs to renew funding for 79 existing local programs. The grants announced today build on that investment by funding new projects, awarded by competition and funded through the 2009 Continuum of Care funds. In addition, the funding supports the Obama Administration’s plan to end homelessness. Last month, Donovan and 18 other federal agencies unveiled Opening Doors, a federal strategy to end veteran and chronic homelessness by 2015, and to end homelessness among children, families, and youth by 2020.
Programs critical
“This funding is an important part of the Obama Administration’s new strategy to end homelessness in all its forms,” said Donovan. “We know that these programs are critical in moving people beyond a life on the streets and placing them on a path toward dignity and self sufficiency.”
HUD’s Continuum of Care grants are awarded competitively to local programs to meet the needs of their homeless clients Continuum of Care grants provide permanent and transitional housing to homeless persons. In addition, Continuum of Care grants fund a wide range of programs including important services such as job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care.. These grants also fund street outreach and assessment programs to transitional and permanent housing for homeless persons and families .
Contact John Rebchook at JRCHOOK@gmail.com or 303-945-6865.
