Diaz-Balart Delivers Over $4 Million in Homeless Assistance Funding for Miami-Dade

WASHINGTON –- (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) today announced that Miami-Dade County would receive $4.092 million in Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Last year, Miami-Dade County lost over $5 million in funding for essential homeless programs in the county. HUD’s homeless assistance program has become increasingly competitive as HUD directs more funding to grantees that allocate resources to projects known to deliver better outcomes like permanent housing and rapid re-housing. Diaz-Balart secured the $4.092 million in funding to help fill the gap for FY17, and these funds could be used for homelessness prevention activities, rapid re-housing, short- or medium-term rental assistance, housing relocation, and stabilization services.

“I am pleased to announce that Miami-Dade County will receive $4.1 million in homeless assistance funds. The Homeless Trust does excellent work for our community, and I truly enjoy working with them and local partners who are making a difference for the most vulnerable. This funding will go a long way towards providing solutions and filling gaps can that effectively help address homelessness in South Florida. As Housing Appropriations Chairman, I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Homeless Trust to ensure the best use of federal funding.”

Of the more than 100 recipients, Miami-Dade received the most ESG funding of any jurisdiction.

Since 2015, Diaz-Balart has served as Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee. As Chairman of this Subcommittee, Diaz-Balart has jurisdiction over and sets funding levels for various transportation and housing programs, including homeless assistance grants.