Dallas – On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $2.8 billion in annual funding to help people experiencing homelessness. The All Neighbors Coalition received $22 million through the annual Continuum of Care (CoC) funding program for renewed and increased programming across Dallas and Collin Counties, a 20% increase of funding from last year.
“This annual competitive funding process adds necessary financial capacity to our overall community, allowing us to further many of our system goals by providing housing and supportive services for our unhoused neighbors. Our CoC, the All Neighbors Coalition is thrilled about the opportunity to bring in additional funding that helps support ongoing efforts and allows us to expand critical services for our most vulnerable populations, including Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Rehousing. This increase in funding further demonstrates that our system is being recognized for the ongoing progress and effectiveness of our homeless response system to meet the needs of our unhoused neighbors,” said Joli Angel Robinson, President and CEO of Housing Forward.
The increased annual funding announcement builds on a $315 million first-of-its-kind package of resources that HUD awarded in January 2023, of which Dallas and Collin Counties received $22.8 million, to help communities provide housing and supportive services to people in unsheltered settings and people experiencing homelessness in rural areas.
A portion of the increased annual funds also includes $1.4 million to provide housing solutions for families fleeing domestic violence. “This new funding specifically for survivors fleeing domestic violence will help our homeless response system increase services across the All Neighbors Coalition for a vulnerable population who need additional support,” said Christina Coultas, CEO of Hope’s Door New Beginning and Member of the All Neighbors Coalition Board.
From the official HUD press release:
“Throughout the Annual Community Award Competition, HUD sought projects that:
- End homelessness for all persons experiencing homelessness;
- Emphasize racial equity and anti-discrimination policies for LGTBQ+ individuals;
- Use a Housing First approach;
- Reduce unsheltered homelessness and reduce the criminalization of homelessness;
- Improve system performance;
- Partner with housing agencies to leverage access to mainstream housing programs;
- Partner with health agencies to coordinate health and supportive services, including preventing and responding to future infectious disease outbreaks;
- Advance racial equity and address racial disparities in homelessness;
- Engage people with lived experience of homelessness in decision-making; and
- Support local engagement to increase the supply of affordable housing.
“Helping people move into stable housing from temporary shelters and encampments on the streets is essential to ending homelessness,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “Working with our local partners, these Continuum of Care program grants, deliver communities the resources they need. Together we can work toward a world where homelessness is a brief and rare occurrence, and every person has access to a safe, affordable, and stable home so that they and their families can thrive.”
The Annual Funding (CoC) program is designed to promote a community-wide commitment to ending homelessness. The program is the largest source of federal grant funding for homeless services and housing programs servicing people experiencing homelessness.”
“Every neighbor in our community deserves to have safe, stable housing. This increased annual award enables us to increase support and build capacity across our system to provide the necessary housing and services many of our unhoused neighbors need,” said Joli Angel Robinson, President and CEO of Housing Forward.
