Kansas City, MO – February 8, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the award of more than $24 million in funding for Missouri’s 111 programs that combat homelessness. Agencies throughout the state will use this money to fund their existing housing and supportive service programs for individuals and families moving from homelessness to independence. (HUD funding for new projects will be announced later in the year.)
Of the total amount funded, $3.6 million is earmarked for the Balance of State Continuum of Care (BoS CoC), a community plan to end homelessness for the 101 rural counties of Missouri.. Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) is the lead agency for the BoS CoC, which submitted a collective application to HUD that included funding requests from agencies within these 101 counties.
“The renewal funding from HUD will allow agencies to continue serving our must vulnerable citizens,” said Heather Bradley-Geary, MHDC Community Initiatives Manager. The $3.6 million in funding will be disbursed directly from HUD to the agencies recommended in the application. The agencies will use these funds for three housing program types (permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and shelter plus care), supportive services, and funding the Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS).
For a complete list of agencies receiving renewal funds through the Balance of State Continuum of Care in 2010, visit www.hud.gov.
The 14 counties of Missouri not included in the Balance of State Continuum of Care serve the more metropolitan areas of the state. These counties received a total of $20.3 million in renewal funds through their own continua, serving the St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles, Springfield, Joplin, Kansas City and St. Joseph areas.
In addition to managing the Balance of State Continuum of Care, MHDC administers the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, oversees federal and state funding for the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing, and offers low-interest mortgage loan programs for first-time homebuyers.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: Media questions should be directed to Andi Benson, communications administrator, at 816-759-6658 or 
Media Contact: Andi Benson, communications administrator
816.759.6658 or 816.516.0148
3435 Broadway
Kansas City, MO 64111
