HUD AWARDS $6 MILLION TO 10 HISPANIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Hispanic-serving institutions to use HUD funds to improve communities Adams State College receives nearly $600,000

DENVER - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded nearly $6 million to 10 Hispanic colleges and universities to help revitalize neighborhoods, promote affordable housing and stimulate
economic development in their communities. Adams State College was named as one of the 10 Hispanic colleges to receive funding as part of HUD's Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) Program. Donovan
made the announcement to a policy gathering of the Hispanic Congressional Caucus Institute in Washington.

"These Hispanic-serving institutions are devoted to improving the lives of young people as well as helping to
revitalize the communities where they serve," said Donovan. "I'm proud HUD and these institutions can come
together to do the heavy lifting needed to improve neighborhoods, build affordable housing and stimulate economic progress."

Adams State College intends to use the $599,935 grant to launch the Home Owner preparedness, including all
People, for one Environment (HOPE) program. HOPE is a community-based collaborative project designed to increase economic and housing affordability to youth, provide job training for people with disabilities, and organize the community around environmental opportunities. HOPE entails three separate but related programs: the "Financial Development" program is aimed at providing youth with financial skills to better their chances of obtaining higher education and homeownership. The "Ability" program works with disabled individuals who want to learn life, job and business skills. The "Eco-org" project supports green industry, job development, and community organizing around environmental issues. All activities involve education and training related to economic and community asset development.

To qualify for this grant, at least 25 percent of the institution's full-time undergraduate student population must be Hispanic. In addition, all applicants must offer two- or four-year degrees that are fully accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. HUD's grants will help these institutions undertake a wide variety of activities, particularly those that benefit lower income residents. These activities may include:

• Acquiring property;
• Demolishing blighted structures;
• Rehabilitating homes, including cleaning up lead-based paint hazards and making modifications that
  improve accessibility;
• Improving public facilities such as water and sewer systems;
• Providing downpayment and closing cost assistance to low- and moderate-income homebuyers;
• Assisting small businesses, including minority-owned enterprises;
• Helping community-based development organizations to carry out neighborhood revitalization; and
• Supporting public services such as job training, child care, fair housing, and housing counseling.

The Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) Program is one of several initiatives administered
by HUD's Office of University Partnerships (OUP). Established in 1994, OUP is a catalyst for partnering colleges and universities with their communities in an effort to address local problems. For more information about HUD's
partnership with institutions of higher learning, visit HUD's website.

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.