The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it will award more than $3.1 billion in competitive funding to service organizations for supportive services and housing programs for people experiencing homelessness.

This year’s funding opportunity makes available the largest amount of funding under the Continuum of Care (CoC) program competition in history. Applications are due Sept. 28.

“As our nation faces a worsening housing crisis, it is imperative that we continue to invest in communities’ efforts to connect people experiencing homelessness to stable homes,” said HUD secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “These resources make critical investments in evidence-based and person-centered solutions, as well as the people and organizations who work hard every day to deliver them to vulnerable individuals, families, and youth.”

Nearly 400 CoC communities apply for funding each year, and HUD funds approximately 7,000 homeless service projects annually through the program.

As in the past, organizations will have the opportunity to renew existing projects, apply for new projects, and to reallocate resources from lower-performing projects to better serve people experiencing homelessness. However, this year’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) includes some new activities to address homelessness in rural communities and to ensure compliance with the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022.

Additionally, the NOFO contains explicit funding for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; youth; and people experiencing the unique challenges of homelessness in rural areas. The NOFO will provide at least $52 million for new rapid rehousing, supportive services, and other activities critical to assist survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Approximately $147 million is available for the competitive and noncompetitive renewal and replacement of expiring Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program grants.

Specifically, HUD is seeking projects that:

  • End homelessness for all persons experiencing homelessness;
  • Place emphasis on racial equity and anti-discrimination polices for LGTBQ+ individuals;
  • Use a Housing First approach;
  • Reduce unsheltered homelessness and reduce the criminalization of homelessness;
  • Improve system performance;
  • Partner with housing agencies to leverage access to mainstream housing programs;
  • Partner with health agencies to coordinate health and supportive services, including to prevent and respond to future infectious disease outbreaks;
  • Advance racial equity and addressing racial disparities in homelessness;
  • Engage people with lived experience of homelessness in decision making; and
  • Support local engagement to increase the supply of affordable housing.

Read HUD’s Notice of Funding Opportunity here.