The Federal Government announced Monday that it had awarded $26.7 million to Oregon nonprofits and local government agencies that provide services to the homeless.

 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care program has given money to 135 programs across the state.

 

Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D) and Ron Wyden (D), both applauded the move.

 

“We have far too many Oregonians in all corners of the state who are struggling to find a permanent home or even a place to sleep at night,” stated Merkley. “This funding will help communities across Oregon put a roof over the heads of homeless families and individuals and get them the resources to get back on their feet.”

 

The grants were parts of $1.8 billion in money from HUD sent to nearly 8,400 homeless service programs across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as part of the Continuum of Care program.

These six states all had at least 300 out of 100,000 people homeless in 2013.