Washington, DC – March 15, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Rep. Jim Costa announced that$388,144has been awarded to Merced County organizations from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funds were made available through the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance competitive grant program. HUD recently released a report showing there are more than 500 homeless persons including more than 50 homeless veterans in Merced City and County.