Breaking Homelessness News: Tens of Thousands Detroit Residents Apply for HPRP Funds

Two videos published on YouTube - one of which has just been aired on television - show what actual HPRP funding means to people in Detroit, Michigan.
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Yesterday, I wrote what I considered an academic piece describing The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP), the $1.5 billion part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) that President Obama signed into law this past February.

Today, my friend, Maurice, sent me the following two videos published on YouTube - one of which has just been aired on television - which show what actual HPRP funding means to people in Detroit, Michigan: Tens of thousands of Detroit residents are standing in line to receive applications for HPRP assistance.

A few facts for background...

• The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2006, the population of Detroit was 871,121.

• The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2006, the population of Michigan was 10,095,643.

• In Detroit, the unemployment rate is nearly 30%.

• In the State of Michigan, the unemployment rate is 15%, the highest in the nation.

• Detroit will be receiving approximately $15 million in direct HPRP funds, plus an additional $3 million in HPRP funds through the State of Michigan for a total of just over $18 million in HPRP funding.

• The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) will be receiving approximately $22 million in HPRP funds, $3 million of which will be disbursed to Detroit.
Video #1: Associated Press, October 7, 2009 on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV2ngvYI_ZU

Video #2: WDIV, Local 4 News on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTV4xZR4vTo

I look forward to your comments.

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