Columbia Housing Authority awarded $537,433 to fight chronic homelessness in Boone County

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

On Friday, the U.S. Department of of Housing and Urban Development awarded the Columbia Housing Authority $537,433 to fight chronic homelessness in Boone County.

"We are pleased with this," CHA CEO Randy Cole said. "These funds are for special vouchers we use for persons experiencing chronic homelessness."

Cole said the vouchers come with supportive services for households and they cover rental costs similar to how Section 8 housing works. He said this money will be used to help 50-60 households per year.

"We’ve grown that annual funding from 465,000 in 2021 with help from our community partners and local service providers," Cole said.

As of Jan. 8, the Boone County Coalition to End Homelessness reported 318 people experiencing homelessness in the county. The prior January, the organization reported 234 people experiencing homelessness in Boone County.

The award for CHA is part of a larger award across the country by HUD which totals to $3.6 billion.

“These awards are a significant investment in resources to end homelessness,” HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman said. “Throughout the Biden-Harris Administration, HUD has furthered its commitment to addressing homelessness through major funding advancements and through programs like this one that provide critical funding, powered by a community-centered approach, to rehouse people in need.” 

According to HUD, organizations in Missouri were awarded $57,565,151 to provide housing assistance and services to people experiencing homelessness.