HUD provides $67 million in CARES Act funding for homeless populations in PA

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Joe DeFelice announced the allocation of $67.2 million in Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funding to support homeless Americans and individuals at risk of becoming homeless in Pennsylvania because of hardships such as job loss, wage reduction or illness due to COVID-19.

This funding is a part of $2.96 billion allocated across the country.

“The spread of COVID-19 makes the challenges surrounding homelessness even more difficult to address,” said DeFelice. “Every day, our Pennsylvania partners are working harder and harder to develop local strategies aimed at supporting our most vulnerable neighbors. This additional funding through HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grant Program will bolster their efforts as they manage the unique needs of their communities.”

Congress has provided $4 billion for HUD’s ESG program for local governments to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus among individuals and families who are homeless, receiving homeless assistance or are at risk of becoming homeless. In total, HUD has allocated $3.96 billion in ESG funding to impacted communities in every U.S. state and territory, and the remainder $40 million is being utilized to provide technical assistance to build capacity of grantees in those communities receiving ESG funding.

These funds can be used to:

•Make more emergency shelters available for homeless individuals and families.

•Operate emergency shelters by providing food, rent, security, maintenance, repair, fuel, equipment, insurance, utilities, furnishings, and supplies necessary for their operation.

•Provide hotel/motel vouchers for homeless families and individuals.

•Provide essential services to people experiencing homelessness including childcare, education services, employment assistance, outpatient health services, legal services, mental health services, substance abuse treatment services, and transportation.

•Prevent individuals from becoming homeless and rapidly rehouse homeless individuals.

Round 2 CARES Act Funding/COVID-19 Recovery Emergency Solutions Grants have been awarded to area communities including: Allentown, $992,811; Philadelphia, $22,293,192; Berks County, $1,051,989; Chester County, $2,220,667; Delaware County, $1,161,173; Montgomery County, $1,606,408; and Northampton County, $709,925.

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