HUD allocates more than $58 million for Georgia to fight homelessness, Cobb’s Must Ministries a recipient 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it has granted over $58 million in federal funds to Georgia organizations combating homelessness. This funding is part of the nearly $3.16 billion allocated nationally through HUD’s Continuum of Care program, which supports efforts ranging from funding to data collection for the homeless population.

Specifically, metro Atlanta programs and organizations will receive over $13 million, benefiting various initiatives in the area’s major counties. Recipients include Atlanta’s Phoenix House and MUST Ministries in Cobb County, among others. The funds aim to assist service providers working on the frontlines of the homelessness crisis, facilitating efforts to transition people off the streets into permanent housing with access to necessary services.

The announcement comes shortly after a “Point-in-Time” count, where organizations fighting homelessness conducted a survey to determine the number of unhoused individuals in the metro Atlanta area. The data collected in such counts influences federal funding allocations and helps determine available resources for addressing homelessness.

Recent severe cold weather in the region prompted the opening of warming centers for the homeless, revealing challenges in the area’s responsiveness to such conditions. The federal funding is expected to strengthen initiatives addressing homelessness, with a particular focus on permanent supportive housing programs.

HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge emphasized the agency’s commitment to providing resources to frontline service providers, especially in the current environment. The $3.16 billion allocation for the Continuum of Care program is noted as the largest-ever amount directed toward homelessness by HUD in its history.

Additionally, HUD announced a supplementary $3.7 million allocation to Georgia to address home health and safety hazards, with $1.7 million designated for the city of Atlanta.