WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will provide $3.6 billion to communities across the country to help people experiencing homelessness. The funds will be awarded to nearly 7,000 projects that provide housing and counseling services and will also be used for data collection.

What You Need To Know

  • The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will provide $3.6 billion to communities across the country to help people experiencing homelessness

  • The funds will be awarded to nearly 7,000 projects that provide housing and counseling services and will also be used for data collection

  • Of the $3.6 billion, $189 million will support homelessness programs for youth and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking

  • In December, HUD’s point-in-time count report found more than 770,000 people around the country experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2024 — an 18% increase compared with 2023

“We cannot end homelessness without the thousands of providers who are committed to this work,” Marion McFadden, HUD's principal deputy assistant secretary for community planning, said in a statement Friday.

She said the awards HUD announced Friday will expand communities’ ability to help more homeless people find housing.

In December, HUD’s point-in-time count report found more than 770,000 people around the country experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2024 — an 18% increase compared with 2023. 

While homelessness among veterans fell to its lowest number on record, decreasing by 8%, migration increased family homelessness by 39%. 

In its report, HUD said increased rental costs resulting from the pandemic and decades of under-building housing contributed to the dramatic increase of unhoused individuals. 

The funding HUD announced Friday is provided through the agency’s Continuum of Care program, which works to promote community-wide commitments to end homelessness by funding nonprofits that work on the issue. Of the $3.6 billion, $189 million will support homelessness programs for youth and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

Another $62 million will go toward quickly rehousing those who have fallen into homelessness, as well as mental health and drug counseling services to help them stay off the street.