Hawai'i will get $6.2 million from the federal economic stimulus package for homeless programs, and advocates are urging the government to get the money out to nonprofits quickly.

About $4 million of the federal appropriation will go to the city, which hopes to issue a request for proposals for the funds as early as this month. The rest will go to the state so that it can be doled out to the Neighbor Islands.

The funding is part of $1.5 billion that was included in the economic stimulus package for homeless prevention programs. States will get the money based on a formula, and 60 percent of the funding must be spent by 2011.

Darlene Hein, program director for the Waikiki Care-a-Van, which helps homeless around the island with medical care and supplies, food and services to get them off the streets, said the federal money is a big shot in the arm for homeless programs and comes as the need for services is increasing.

"We have a crisis of sorts at the moment where people are really on the edge," she said, adding that she expects the number of homeless will increase over the coming year because of the economic downturn. "Here we have this stimulus lifeline and it could make a difference for a lot of people."

She said the funds need to be handed out quickly to prevent people who have been laid off or seen reductions in their work hours from ending up on the streets. "We really need to ensure that the funds get out as soon as possible," she said. "This can really make the difference for many, many individuals."

The funds are aimed at helping residents who have recently become homeless and those at risk of homelessness. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the money can go to rental assistance, paying for utilities and security or utility deposits, moving costs, case management, credit counseling, mediation and other services.