The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) annual report to Congress today will reflect the changing face of homelessness — one that includes more families and more people in rural areas.

The number of homeless people across the country has remained fairly steady — approximately 1.6 million people used a homeless shelter or lived in transitional housing between October 2007 and September 2008 — but families using such services was up 9 percent.

TD Bank is making $2 million in grants available to housing organizations through its TD Charitable Foundation.

The "2009 Housing for Everyone" competition is open to non-profit organizations and state and local government entities that develop or maintain affordable housing, or provide affordable housing-related programs or services targeting low- and moderate-income individuals and families.

This year the program focuses on housing stabilization.

The Rutland Herald/Times Argus, Eagles Times, Burlington Free Press and Vermont Business Magazine blog have all published stories about yesterday's announcement of nearly $6 million in grants for affordable housing.

Yesterday the Douglas administration announced nearly $6 million in grants to benefit affordable housing in Vermont.

The funds come from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

$3.5 million will go to Stewart Property Management of Bedford, N.H., to help purchase and restore Rockingham Canal House, a 41-unit affordable senior housing property.  (Read our press release about Stewart's acquisition of the property.)