(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- New Mexico is set to receive $8 million in grant funding to help local homeless housing and service programs, the Albuquerque Journal reports.

The money comes from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said evidence shows that each dollar spent on homeless programs saves lives and money, the paper says.

The grants are awarded competitively to local homeless service projects, and fund a variety of programs, according to the Journal.

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