MARTINEZ AND CHAO ANNOUNCE $13.5 MILLION TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING AND JOBS TO CHRONICALLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS
Unprecedented partnership supports Administration plan to end chronic homelessness

WASHINGTON - Hundreds of persons experiencing long-term homelessness will be provided permanent housing and jobs because of an unprecedented partnership between the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Labor (DOL). HUD Secretary Mel Martinez and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao today announced their departments are collaborating to offer $13.5 million to local employment centers and housing providers to help chronically homeless persons become less dependent and more self-sufficient.

HUD is providing $10 million and DOL is contributing $3.5 million toward this joint initiative. Today's announcement represents another coordinated effort designed to meet the Bush Administration's goal of ending chronic homelessness in ten years.

"Today we take another step toward a day when persons living with disability, addiction or mental illness will no longer have to call the streets their home," said Martinez. "By providing a permanent home and a job to our most vulnerable neighbors, we can meet the Administration's goal of ending chronic homelessness in this country."

"In keeping with the promise of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative and his goal of ending chronic homelessness, today's action will expand the delivery and implementation of `customized employment' strategies for people with disabilities, so that they may live, work and fully participate in their communities," Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao said. "I applaud HUD's partnership with DOL as well as the input of the White House Interagency Council on Homelessness. Together, our efforts will bring a better way to help individuals with disabilities out of chronic homelessness.

The DOL portion of each grant agreement will range from approximately $500,000 to $625,000 and is designed to increase and improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities who are chronically homeless. In conjunction with DOL's role, HUD will provide approximately $2-3 million grants for housing this population.

For more information about the funding being made available today visit HUD or DOL website. For additional information on the Administration's plan to end chronic homelessness, visit the Interagency Council on Homelessness website.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet.

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