The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released a package of resources to combat unsheltered homelessness and homeless encampments, including funds set aside to target homelessness in rural communities.
The $365 million package from the Biden administration includes grant funds and vouchers designed to enhance communities’ capacity to address unsheltered homelessness by connecting vulnerable individuals and families to housing, health care and supportive services.
The package promotes partnerships with health care organizations, public housing authorities and mainstream housing providers, as well as people with expertise concerning homelessness.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that people sleeping in their vehicles, in tents, or on the streets, including in rural areas, have access to decent, stable housing and services, like health care and treatment, to live with dignity and safety,” HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge said in a release.
“Solving unsheltered homelessness means delivering help to the people who need it the most, but who have the hardest time reaching it. It means putting housing first and health care and other supportive services right after,” Fudge said. “With this funding, communities will have the resources to scale up coordinated efforts to humanely and effectively move people from encampments into homes by linking homeless outreach with health care, treatment and housing.”
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said access to a safe place to call home is essential to health and well-being.
“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to working across the federal government to end homelessness by ensuring access to health care, support services, and permanent housing for all Americans,” Becerra said. “I am pleased to support Secretary Fudge in bringing housing and health care within greater reach for those who need it most, including in rural communities.”
The package includes:
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