NEW YORK – The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced a series of grants to keep local homeless assistance programs operating.

“There is a tremendous need on our streets and in our shelters among those experiencing both long-term homelessness as well as families confronting a sudden economic crisis,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “These grants are the life blood for thousands of local housing and service programs that are doing the heavy lifting to meet President Obama’s goal of ending homelessness.”

In Dutchess County, 16 programs have received $1.2 million. In Orange County, 14 programs received $1.9 million. In Columbia and Greene counties, four programs received $110,000. In Westchester County, 42 programs have received $11.3 million. In Ulster County, nine programs received $1 million.

“With these resources, our non-profit partners will be able to continue to combat homelessness and provide families and individuals who have fallen on hard times the tools needed to gain self-sufficiency,” said Adolfo Carrion, HUD’s regional administrator for New York and New Jersey.