HUD AWARDS KIT CARSON, COLORADO $500,000 "MAIN STREET" GRANT

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that the Town of Kit Carson, Colorado will receive a $500,000 grant to build additional affordable housing units targeted to low-income residents. The grant is funded through HUD's HOPE VI MainStreet program.

Kit Carson Rural Development (KCRD) will use the funding to develop three affordable detached housing units on two acquired lots. Currently, 35 percent of the housing stock in Kit Carson is vacant and uninhabitable. The developed units will be rented or sold to low-income persons. Additionally, these three affordable housing units will be within walking distance to the town's school. Kit Carson's development team has extensive experience in design, development, and construction of new affordable housing. In 2010, Kit Carson received a $1 million grant from HUD, which also expanded the supply of affordable housing in the town's Main Street area.

"Linking affordable housing to schools and early education is a win-win for Kit Carson," said HUD's Rocky Mountain Regional Administrator Rick M. Garcia. "This community has again demonstrated its competitive abilities to attract national HUD funding to address local affordable housing needs by receiving a second Hope VI Main Street program grant, and I am proud that HUD can continue to be a partner supporting the housing needs in rural America."

As HUD approaches its 50th anniversary next year, HUD Secretary Julián Castro is focused on advancing policies that create opportunities for all Americans, including helping families and individuals secure quality housing by connecting housing efforts to education and job opportunities.

Created by Congress, the Main Street program seeks to rejuvenate older, downtown business districts while retaining the area's traditional and historic character by providing grants to smaller communities for the development of affordable housing. Such communities must have an ongoing Main Street revitalization effort. Under Main Street, obsolete commercial offices or buildings can be reconfigured into rent producing affordable housing.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.