The Kent Youth and Family Services Watson Manor received $38,134 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help fund the homeless shelter for young women.

The federal homeless assistance grants were announced Dec. 20 by King County and Seattle city officials. The county and Seattle received $21.8 million from HUD as part of $1.5 billion awarded nationwide, according to a county media release.

“Ending the cycle of homelessness for our most vulnerable residents requires many partnerships, and the renewal of this federal funding for housing and services sustains a critical piece of the safety net for thousands in need across our region,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine, co-chair of the Committee to End Homelessness Governing Board.

The $21.8 million award received by the Seattle/King County Continuum of Care supports a total of 1,776 units of housing: 754 units of transitional housing and 1,022 units of permanent housing for homeless people with disabilities.

The money for Watson Manor will help operate eight units in 2012.

The Watson Manor Transitional Living Program provides up to two years of transitional housing and support services to single, homeless, extremely low-income teenage and young adult mothers and their children, according to the Kent Youth and Family Services website.

Watson Manor targets women ages 16 to 25. Each mother is parent to one to two children or at least six months pregnant. They receive a furnished apartment as well as services for parent education, life skills training, counseling, substance abuse services, and referral to childcare and educational/vocational programs.

The overall program goal is to increase self-sufficiency among homeless young mothers and equip them with the skills necessary to obtain and retain permanent housing.

Watson Manor receives government funding as well as support from United Way, local service clubs, businesses, and individual donors. The program also receives assistance from numerous volunteers.