**GAO-10-724**                      Published: Jul 20, 2010. Publicly Released: Jul 20, 2010.                  

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## Highlights

The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009 directed GAO to conduct a broad study of homelessness in rural areas. In this report, we provide information about rural homelessness issues, based in significant part on our work in rural areas within six selected states. Specifically, the report addresses the following questions: (1) What are the characteristics of homelessness in rural areas? (2) What assistance is available to individuals or families experiencing homelessness and what amount of funding have the federal departments and agencies awarded to organizations that assist persons experiencing homelessness in rural areas? (3) What barriers do persons experiencing homelessness and homeless service providers encounter when seeking assistance or funding to provide assistance? To address these issues, GAO reviewed relevant literature, conducted site visits, and interviewed agency officials.

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## Recommendations for Executive Action

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Full Report (59 pages)

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## GAO Contacts

Alicia Puente Cackley
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(202) 512-8678

## Office of Public Affairs

Sarah Kaczmarek
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## Topics

Housing

Data collectionDisadvantaged personsFederal aid for housingFederal aid programsHomelessnessHousing programsInteragency relationsLocally administered programsPublic assistance programsRural housing programsUrban development programs