The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded more than $4.9 million in grants to 31 homeless housing and service programs in Arkansas.
The funding announced Monday is an increase of $184,118 over the previous year. HUD's Continuum of Care grants help agencies provide housing and support services to people and families experiencing homelessness.
Programs receiving the grants offer a variety of services including street outreach, client assessment and direct housing assistance.
The grants allow local providers to offer permanent and transitional housing to homeless persons as well as job training and health care.
Programs receiving grants in Arkansas include the Little Rock Community Mental Health Center Shelter Plus Care Program, which received more than $1 million, and the City of Pine Bluff Supportive Housing, which received $217,067.