07/17/09 San Francisco, CA-Mayor Newsom today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has granted San Francisco $8.75 million as part of their Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“These critical funds will assist an often-overlooked population by investing in its future,” said Mayor Newsom. “Furthermore, keeping individuals off the streets, and helping families get through hard times, goes a long way in facilitating our economic recovery.”The program stems from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is focused on jumpstarting the economy, creating and saving jobs and laying the foundation for a robust, sustainable future. Part of this goal is investing to prevent homelessness and facilitating the quick re-housing of homeless people and eventually helping them to re-enter the labor market.

These funds will allow San Francisco to:

· Provide short term rent subsidies for homeless San Franciscans
· Expand eviction prevention funding/programs
· Improve outreach to those at risk of eviction with particular attention to low-income neighborhoods and special needs populations
· Provide housing counseling assistance to renters who are victims of eviction or are at risk of eviction
· Provide services (e.g. case management, financial management) to renters who are victims of eviction or are at risk of eviction
· Provide legal services to renters who are victims of eviction or are at risk of eviction

“This is money that will not only spare families the hardships of homelessness, but will save taxpayers significant money in the long run,” said Shaun Donovan, Secretary of HUD. “Often times, a little bit of financial assistance can make all the difference between a stable home and being forced to live in a shelter or on the streets.”

The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department’s new Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) provides a total of $1.5 billion to nearly 500 communities across the nation to provide short- and medium-term rental assistance and services to either prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless or help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized. The funding is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to help persons and families facing a sudden financial crisis that could lead to homelessness. The City of San Francisco is receiving $8,757,780.
Grants provided under HPRP are not intended to provide long-term support for individuals and families, nor will they afford mortgage assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure. Rather, HPRP offers a variety of short- and medium-term financial assistance to those who would otherwise become homeless, many due to sudden economic crisis. This can include short-term rental assistance (up to three months), medium-term rental assistance (up to 18 months), security deposits, utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance, and hotel vouchers. Payments will not be made directly to households, but only to third parties, such as landlords or utility companies.