WISCONSIN — Wisconsin is receiving more than $50 million in federal funding to address homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Friday.
It’s part of nearly $3.6 billion provided through Continuum of Care program awards that will support close to 7,000 housing-related projects nationwide.
“This funding will provide vital resources to communities across the Great Lakes Region, helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness secure stable housing and essential services,” said Jim Cunningham, deputy regional administrator for the Great Lakes Region, in a release. “By working closely with our local partners, we are making significant progress toward the shared goal of ending homelessness.”
Wisconsin has 4,907 people who are homeless on any given night, with eight people who are homeless per 10,000 people, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Funding will go toward various organizations and initiatives across the state, with significant amounts going toward Autumn West Permanent Housing and Homelinc in Milwaukee, Rental Assistance and Supportive Services in Madison and more.
Close to 400 Continuum of Care communities applied for funding through the program, which is the largest source of federal grant funding for homeless services and housing programs.
The latest award announcement includes $189 million for renewing and replacing expiring Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program grants and another $62 million for assisting youth and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
“These awards are a significant investment in resources to end homelessness,” said HUD Agency Head, The Honorable Adrianne Todman, in a release. “Throughout the Biden-Harris Administration, HUD has furthered its commitment to addressing homelessness through major funding advancements and through programs like this one that provide critical funding, powered by a community-centered approach, to rehouse people in need.”
In all its history, officials said this is the largest amount of annual federal funding provided through HUD’s Continuum of Care program.
“We cannot end homelessness without the thousands of providers who are committed to this work,” said Marion McFadden, principal deputy assistant secretary for community planning and development, in the release. “The historic awards we are announcing today will expand community capacity to assist more people in obtaining the safety and stability of a home, along with ensuring that providers have the support that they need.”