Funding of Homelessness

HUD has announced their Notification of Funding Availability (NOFA) for homelessness programs and services. The $1.68 billion in assistance will be awarded in two stages; current programs will have priority, and new projects will be funded later in the year.  Following the release of the new plan, Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, applicants will be required to show that their proposals will meet the goals of the plan.

This funding follows last year's $1.5 billion for Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) and $1.43 billion in other assistance for homeless individuals and families.

In the meantime, Waukesha County agencies has seen their state and federal funding decline, a dramatic drop of $300,000 $509,000 last year to $209,000 this year starting July 1.  It is not that Waukesha is doing better lately, but that the need is worsening elsewhere, and there are only so many dollars to go around.

It is inexcusable that Waukesha County has not acted to find other funding resources to preserve programs and services.