(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The City of Colorado Springs Housing and Community Vitality Department awarded $850,000 in competitive grants to local agencies helping the community’s most vulnerable.

The City said the funds are provided annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help low to moderate-income individuals and families. The City said the grants were awarded to partners of the City’s strategic priorities to prevent homelessness, increase housing choice, and promote public safety.

The money was broken into two separate award categories:

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Services Awards ($450,000):

Catholic Charities of Central Colorado – homelessness prevention ($30,000)  

Community Partnership for Child Development – early childhood education ($35,000)  

Lutheran Family Services – homelessness prevention for children ($30,000)  

Greccio Housing – eviction prevention assistance ($25,000)  

Forge Evolution – counseling for justice-involved youth ($70,000)  

Colorado Legal Services – keep seniors and people with disabilities housed ($48,000)  

Serenity Recovery Connection – substance abuse and behavioral counseling ($70,000)  

Colorado Springs Fire Department – end the jail-to-street cycle ($92,000)  

Kingdom Builders Family Life Center – youth violence prevention program ($50,000)  

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Awards ($400,000):

Family Promise – family homelessness prevention ($30,000) 

Kingdom Builders – rapid rehousing for survivors of domestic violence ($45,000) 

The Place – youth emergency shelter services ($75,000) 

Springs Rescue Mission – low-barrier emergency shelter ($50,000) 

Community Health Partnership – Homeless Management Information System ($100,000)

The money is awarded by formula to jurisdictions every year and the cities and counties determine the priorities for the use of the funds. More information about the grants can be found on the City’s website.