Van Hollen, Cardin, and Hoyer Announce Nearly $5 Million in Renewed Funding to Combat Homelessness in Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (all D-Md.) announced the award of $4,878,428 for 25 projects to counter homelessness through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) Program. These funds will be used throughout Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset Counties. This competitive grant program awards nonprofits, state and local governments and their agents for initiatives that provide transitional or permanent housing, rental assistance, or supportive services with the goal of ending homelessness.

“Increasing the availability of affordable housing is a complicated challenge with no one simple solution. This federal funding will support a variety of community-driven initiatives that make a real and meaningful difference for thousands of Marylanders,” said the lawmakers. “We are proud to represent many advocates and organizations working tirelessly to combat homelessness in our region and we remain committed to supporting their important work.”

Lifestyles of Maryland Foundation, a nonprofit serving Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties, will receive federal funding for a new project. Said Executive Director Sandy Washington, “LifeStyles is extremely thrilled to have its joint transitional housing and rapid rehousing services to literally homeless DV survivors in Southern Maryland funded. Our goal is to move persons to permanent housing in 24 months or less, based upon the client's needs. This is a significant addition to services in Southern Maryland!”

This program is authorized under Subtitle C of Title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381-11389). The CoC Program is designed to promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities; promote access to mainstream homeless programs for individuals and families; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

See below for a full list of the grants awarded in the region.