Richmond lands a $4.5 million grant to help homeless youth

The Richmond region landed a $4.5 million federal grant to help house homeless youth this week.

Why it matters: Money to help the homeless is incredibly limited and what little is available is prioritized for people who are either very sick or have been homeless the longest.

• "And that has effectively shut youth out of resources," Kelly King Horne, the executive director of Homeward, which coordinates homeless services in the region, tells Axios.

Details: The Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the grant.

• It marks the first time dedicated funding has been available to help homeless kids.

What's next: Regional providers will develop a community plan to spend the money.

• Potential services include supportive housing and counseling services, Horne said.