Twenty-two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) will receive $10.7 million to revitalize distressed neighborhoods near their campuses. The HBCUs, located in a dozen states, will expand their role and their effectiveness in neighborhood revitalization, housing, and economic development Deputy Secretary Jackson announced.

"President Bush is deeply committed to black colleges and universities and their efforts to help open the doors of opportunity in the African-American community," said Jackson, who announced the grants at a Monday conference sponsored by the White House Initiative on HBCUs. "These grants will help ensure these colleges continue to educate many of the nation's African-American physicians, lawyers and business leaders while also being able to revitalize the communities that surround them."

The HBCU program awards funds on a competitive basis. HBCU applicants may propose a variety of projects in their localities, although they must be designed primarily to benefit low- and moderate-income residents, help prevent or eliminate slums or blight, or meet urgent community development needs. The HUD funds can be used for activities that include acquiring real estate; demolition; homeownership assistance to low- and moderate-income persons; special economic development activities; and rehabilitation of residential, commercial or industrial buildings to correct code violations.

The schools receiving grants are located in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

Read the full news announcement and view a list of the colleges and universities selected.

Read what the schools plan to do in each of the 12 states.

Learn more about HUD's Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program (www.oup.org/about/hbcu.html).