The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the availability of $175 million in funding for the construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation of permanent supportive housing. This initiative, launched under the Continuum of Care (CoC) program through the CoCBuilds Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), aims to develop new rental housing units with supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. The NOFO allocates $65 million specifically for CoCs in states with populations under 2.5 million people. Applications are due by November 21, 2024.
“Simply put, we need to build more housing and we need to repair the housing we have,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “This new funding is a focused investment in housing for people experiencing homelessness, particularly given the increased number of Americans sleeping on our streets.”
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) provides non-time-limited rental housing along with supportive services for individuals with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness. PSH also supports families where at least one member has a disability and is experiencing homelessness, enabling them to live independently.
“When we have a safe, stable place to call home, we’re able to focus on our health, our families, and our communities. For our neighbors experiencing homelessness, especially those living with disabilities, this funding will provide access to affordable housing and lifesaving services,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Marion McFadden. “The CoCBuilds competition further advances the Administration’s commitment to boosting housing supply and ensuring homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring.”
HUD encourages CoCs to leverage awarded funds with other sources to maximize available housing for those experiencing homelessness. Up to 20 percent of each award may be used for other eligible CoC Program activities related to PSH projects such as supportive services and operating costs.
The CoCBuilds NOFO also incentivizes partnerships with Indian Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) to support tribal communities' housing needs.
Permanent supportive housing offers several benefits:
- Stability: Provides stable housing for individuals who might otherwise be homeless.
- Support Services: Offers voluntary support services like counseling, healthcare, substance abuse treatment, and job training.
- Cost Reduction: Decreases public costs by reducing reliance on emergency services.
- Improved Health Outcomes: Contributes to better physical and mental health outcomes.
- Community Integration: Fosters social connection and belonging within communities.
- Prevention of Recidivism: Helps prevent cycles of incarceration or homelessness by providing stability.
Applicants are expected to collaborate with local agencies to ensure access to supportive services while increasing affordable housing supply.
The CoCBuilds initiative builds on significant investments by the Biden-Harris Administration in addressing homelessness. The American Rescue Plan allocated over $5 billion through the HOME-ARP program for various initiatives targeting homelessness. Earlier this year, HUD awarded nearly $3.16 billion in Continuum of Care funding across more than 7,000 projects nationwide.
Since taking office, the Biden-Harris Administration has prioritized addressing the nation’s homelessness crisis by reconnecting individuals experiencing homelessness with housing resources swiftly. HUD remains committed to ending homelessness while emphasizing racial equity and anti-discrimination policies for LGBTQ+ individuals.
For more information about the CoC Builds NOFO, please visit: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc.
