PROVIDENCE, RI -- As Rhode Island's homeless epidemic continues to grow, the state's Congressional delegation today joined advocates for Rhode Islanders who are homeless to announce a $4 million federal grant to provide more homes and services. Rhode Island Housing applied for the grant on behalf of the Rhode Island Continuum of Care."This federal funding is vital to our state. I am pleased that Rhode Island was awarded this grant, ensuring that Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness have access to the range of supportive services and housing they need to get back on their feet and become productive and active members of our communities again," said Senator Jack Reed, who sits on the subcommittee which oversees federal housing and authored the Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act.The money, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, renews funding for 36 grants that are providing homes and services for the homeless in Rhode Island."With the cost of health care, energy, and a good education rising, no one should be forced to choose between paying rent or a mortgage and providing for their families," Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said. "I'm delighted that these critical funds will be available to help Rhode Islanders secure housing and supportive services."The grant goes to Rhode Island Housing, which will distribute the money to 24 organizations including the Urban League, Crossroads Rhode Island, Advent House in Providence, House of Hope of Warwick, Family Resources in Woonsocket and the McKinney Shelter in Newport."This funding will directly assist some of the most vulnerable people in Rhode Island," said U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy. "My colleagues and I were successful in increasing funding for homeless programs by over $100 million for the current fiscal year. This money will help some key facilities such as Crossroads, in the near-term."Over 6,400 Rhode Islanders stayed in emergency shelters from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005, the most recent year for which this information is currently available. Of those, more than 1,700 were children."Affordable housing is a rare commodity in Rhode Island and throughout the nation," said Rep. Jim Langevin. "The fact that the average Rhode Islander is forced to earn more than twice the minimum wage simply to cover monthly rent is unjust and it is wrong. Through all initiatives that provide funding for housing, the federal government can and does take an active role in helping Rhode Islanders achieve the American dream."HUD also announced that the State, through the Office of Housing and Community Development, will receive almost $750,000 in Emergency Shelter Grants. "It is imperative that we meet the comprehensive needs of the homeless and this funding sets the stage for helping us to achieve that goal," said Gov. Donald Carcieri. "Addressing the complex issue of affordable housing has been a top priority of my administration."The grant comes at a time when the cost of homes in Rhode Island is at an all time high. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is more than $1,100 a month. The median sales price of a single-family home was $282,500 last year."This grant ensures that formerly homeless Rhode Islanders will not lose their housing and services when the original funding expires this year. That said, we simply must continue to build more supportive housing," said Susan Bodington, Deputy Director of Rhode Island Housing."We are grateful to our Congressional delegation for securing the funding for the continuation of vital programs," said Anne Nolan, president of Crossroads. "Any time we can help low-income families address the uncertainties of homelessness we make our state a better place in which to live."Grant Recipients: The Providence Center $41,133.00Rhode Island Housing $28,040.00Advent House $64,454.00House of Hope Comm. Dev. Corp. $71,311.00Crossroads Rhode Island $94,530.00Advent House $71,289.00Advent House $27,842.00Family Resource Comm. Action $130,455.00House of Compassion $24,785.00Urban League of Rhode Island $266,440.00Urban League of RI $186,991.00Westbay Community Action, Inc. $60,295.00The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island $199,997.00Crossroads Rhode Island $136,120.00YWCA of Greater Rhode Island $47,563.00Newport County Community Mental Health Center $8,204.00Operation Stand Down Rhode Island $98,467.00Operation Stand Down Rhode Island $74,898.00Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless $100,000.00 Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless $34,440.00Crossroads Rhode Island $157,286.00East Bay Community Action Program $60,897.00Lucy's Hearth $23,423.00Washington Square Services Corp. $103,217.00New Hope for Families $11,810.00Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center $32,470.00Nickerson Community Center $123,856.00Amos House $131,791.00Family Resources Community Action $34,048.00Crossroads Rhode Island $166,607.00Advent House $49,856.00Welcome House of South County $67,926.00 SSTAR of Rhode Island $126,231.00MAP Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitative Services, Inc. $33,460.00The Providence Center $174,999.00Rhode Island Housing $966,720.00 State Total: $4,031,851.00 Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) Allocations:PAWTUCKET, RI $90,523.00PROVIDENCE, RI $247,185.00RI NONENTITLEMENT $347,671.00WOONSOCKET, RI $58,491.00 Total ESG: $743,870.00 Total State Funding: $4,775,721.00