DES MOINES, IOWA (March 20, 2019) — The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced that Iowa has been awarded more than $9.5 million in federal funds to support 47 homelessness assistance initiatives through the Continuum of Care (CoC) program.
“The Iowa Council on Homelessness’ latest report illustrates that 16,030 Iowans experienced homelessness in 2018,” said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Debi Durham. “This funding will provide critically-needed support to service providers on the front lines of assisting individuals and families experiencing homelessness.”
“There is a great need for permanent supportive housing in Linn County,” said Willis Dady Executive Director Phoebe Trepp. “This funding will assist in rapid-rehousing efforts as well as the purchase of a home that we will develop into six housing units to assist homeless individuals who are also in need of various supportive services.”
The CoC competition allows planning organizations (called Continuums of Care or CoCs) to apply for the program through one annual consolidated application.Funding requests are prioritized using a mix of performance data and local needs based on research-driven approaches that support the nation’s goals to prevent and end homelessness.
In Iowa, there are three CoCs, including Des Moines/Polk County, Sioux City/Woodbury County, and the Iowa Balance of State CoC, which covers the rest of the state with the exception of Council Bluffs, as it is included in the Omaha CoC. The Iowa Finance Authority provides administrative support for the Iowa Council on Homelessness, which oversees the Balance of State CoC.
