The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced it has awarded approximately $1.2 million to support homelessness assistance services in Iowa. The funding combines with awards announced earlier this spring to total $8.4 million for Iowa homelessness services agencies. The funding is distributed in ways designed to promote communitywide commitment to ending homelessness. The Iowa Council on Homelessness reports that 13,030 Iowans were served by a shelter in 2015, a 12 percent increase from 2014.