Contact: Catherine An - 202-942-8297, can@naeh.org

Washington, D.C. – Homeless advocates were encouraged today as the new administration rolled out their detailed budget for 2010. The budget proposed increases for many housing and homeless assistance programs.

President Obama's budget also seeks to transform the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to allow HUD to lead a national effort to solve the lack of affordable rental housing for low-income Americans. Key elements of the budget include:

• $1.8 billion for HUD's McKinney-Vento homeless assistance programs, a 7 percent increase


• $46.3 billion overall for HUD, an increase of $4.5 billion


• $1 billion for the new National Affordable Housing Trust Fund

Nan Roman, president of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said this was an important step in addressing this persistent problem, and urged the President to stay steadfast in continuing efforts to alleviate the deficiencies in affordable housing.

"We know that homelessness is a problem that can and must be solved" said Roman. "We are optimistic today, as President Obama demonstrates that his administration is ready and eager to transform the way we approach homelessness in this country. Even - and especially - in these tumultuous times, we must dedicate ourselves to transforming housing and homeless assistance systems to provide meaningful and permanent solutions to those most in need."