Congressman Cohen Announces $15.1 Million in Homelessness Prevention Funding for Memphis and Shelby County

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that Memphis and Shelby County will receive a total of $15,103,245 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help create affordable housing for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The funding is part of $4.925 billion authorized by the American Rescue Plan that President Biden signed into law last month. Memphis will receive $13,545,982 and Shelby County will receive $1,557,263. This supplemental funding is being allocated through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"This significant investment in homelessness prevention is both much-needed and timely. The pandemic and its economic consequences have upended so many lives and many who never feared homelessness are threatened by that prospect. The American Rescue Plan is helping Americans stay on their feet, and I'm proud to have voted for it."

According to HUD, the American Rescue Plan funding announced today gives states the flexibility to best meet the needs of people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, including through development of affordable housing, tenant-based rental assistance, supportive services, and acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units. Funds must be spent by 2030.

It is the first of two homelessness-related funding opportunities from the American Rescue Plan that HUD will release. In the coming weeks, HUD will announce the allocation of funding for emergency vouchers for people experiencing and at-risk of homelessness.