HUD Prioritizes Funding for Communities Taking Steps Against Criminalization of Homelessness

(June 21, 2018, Washington, D.C.) – On June 20, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) issued its annual Notice Of Funding Application (NOFA) for its $2.2 billion grant stream for Continuums of Care – the public/private collaboratives that provide homeless services across the country. For the fourth time since 2015, the funding application offers additional points to communities that document the steps they are taking to combat the criminalization of homelessness.

In conjunction with the new application, the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty will be publishing a toolkit on July 19 which tracks applicants’ responses over the first three years the question has been asked. The forthcoming report will show that communities have responded positively to HUD’s inclusion of this question on its NOFA by reporting additional activities to discourage criminalization, highlight trends, share a number of emerging model responses, and provide tools for communities looking to do more.

The Law Center has reported in the past on the dramatic increase in criminalization of homelessness across the country, as well as the significant negative impacts criminalization has on both individuals and communities.

The toolkit will be introduced with a webinar on July 19. To register, click here:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/839437936966425347

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The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (the Law Center) is the only national organization dedicated solely to using the power of the law to prevent and end homelessness. With the support of a large network of pro bono lawyers, we address the immediate and longterm needs of people who are homeless or at risk through outreach and training, advocacy, impact litigation, and public education.


https://nlchp.org/press_releases/06.21.18_NOFA