WASHINGTON – Eighteen state and local organizations will receive more than $5.4 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Community Planning and Development to provide financial support to homeless assistance programs.

“These substantial federal grants will allow homeless providers across Maine to continue their efforts to assist the homeless – many of whom subsist on a day-to-day basis,” said U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins in a joint statement.

“We applaud this federal support that will help organizations build new homes and provide rental assistance to Maine’s increasing homeless population.”

Among the HUD grants awarded were:

. $257,400 for Sunrise Opportunities Inc. in Washington County.

. $306,275 for the Kennebec Valley Mental Health Center in Waterville.

. $112,783 to renew homeless youth outreach programs sponsored by the Shaw House in Bangor.

. $743,136 for the state Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services.

. $99,672 for the Maine State Housing Authority.

. $111,816 for renewal of Shelter Plus Care programs administered through Community Health and Counseling Services in Bangor.