The city of Augusta is seeking partners to help house the homeless, and today's the deadline for agencies wanting the job to state their interest.

The Housing and Community Development Department is preparing an application for federal grants through U.S. Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program. Community Development Manager Vicki Johnson said Augusta will apply for $770,250. Of that, $448,314 will be dispersed to Hope House, Goodwill Industries, CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority Inc. and the city government for a homeless tracking system.

Ms. Johnson said the remaining $321,936 could go toward permanent, affordable housing for people living on the streets or in shelters. Surveys and head counts in 2007 put Augusta's annual homeless population at about 7,000.

Depending on which developers, nonprofits or other agencies step forward and what plans they propose, the city could seek hundreds of thousands more. One program offers $231,075 if the plan is to house families with children where parents face such issues as job loss, mental illness, substance abuse and poor credit. Another program offers $115,538 toward housing the chronically homeless.

More than one program could be applied for, and more than one agency could be chosen, Ms. Johnson said.

Applications are due to Housing and Community Development by Sept. 11, but to be eligible, agencies must register with the HUD Web site by today and give their password to Ms. Johnson.

The city's application to HUD is due Sept. 24.