HUD-funded Rural Oregon Continuum of Care programs took a huge cut in funding in the recently announced 2007 CoC awards, dropping to $552,600 for the July 2008-June 2009 funding period [link to spreadsheet containing totals for state], compared to the current funding level of $1,473,673. At the same time, funding for homeless programs in urban areas has increased.
CoC funds are awarded competitively, and are based on past performance. Unfortunately, advocates for homeless programs in rural areas have not been successful in getting the message across to HUD and legislators that rural homelessness is different from urban homelessness, both in causes, the demographics of those experiencing homelessness, and in levels of local resources for providing the full range of services needed in order to stabilize individuals and families and help them remain housed.
I really hate to see this kind of decision, which ultimately will encourage regressive practices such as handing homeless people bus tickets to the Big City so they can get help there.