Secretary Martinez yesterday released the names of 41 organizations that will receive more than $9.8 million in grants to assist local communities to provide affordable housing, homeless assistance and housing for persons living with HIV/AIDS.

The Secretary said, "By helping communities and grassroots organizations better manage their programs, we ultimately help those who need affordable housing or the services that will prevent them from living in substandard housing or on the streets."

The grants will provide $4.9 million to help communities provide affordable housing through HUD's HOME program; $2.9 million to improve the effectiveness of homeless assistance programs funded by HUD's award-winning Continuum of Care initiative; and, nearly $2 million to strengthen the management of programs funded under the department's Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program.