The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a notice that identifies the recipients, allocation amounts, and requirements for the new Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) established by the economic stimulus act. The act provided $1.5 billion for formula grants under the program to eligible grantees for qualified activities. HPRP is focused on housing for homeless and at-risk households. It will provide temporary financial assistance and housing relocation and stabilization services to individuals and families who are homeless or would be homeless but for this assistance. Program funds are intended to target two populations of persons facing housing instability: (1) individuals and families who are currently in housing but are at risk of becoming homeless and need temporary rent or utility assistance to prevent them from becoming homeless or assistance to move to another unit (prevention); and (2) individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness (residing in emergency or transitional shelters or on the street) and need temporary assistance in order to obtain housing and retain it (rapid re-housing). Eligible for the funds are grantees under HUD’s Emergency Shelter Grant Program.  read more…