HUD ANNOUNCES $1.3 MILLION TO STIMULATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING IN MANCHESTER, MIDDLETOWN
Grants targeted to lower income persons and families in need

HARTFORD, CT - Two communities in Connecticut will receive a total of $1,312,000 in federal funding to stimulate their economies and produce more affordable housing, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson today announced.

The funding announced today is provided through HUD's Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). The town of Manchester will receive $779,000 and the city of Middletown will receive $533,000.

"This Administration is committed to promoting economic development and job growth, increasing the supply of affordable housing, and helping our most vulnerable neighbors," said Jackson. "These funds will serve as a catalyst
for low-income families trying to cross the threshold into homeownership and reinforces our commitment to
rebuilding entire communities."

For the past 30 years, HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program has awarded over $100 billion to state and local governments to target their own community development priorities. CDBG is one of HUD's oldest and most popular programs. The rehabilitation of affordable housing has traditionally been the largest single use of the grants although CDBG is also an important catalyst for job growth and business opportunities. CDBG funds are distributed by formula around the country based on a community's population, income levels, poverty rates and the age of its housing stock.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; 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 as
well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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Note - To find out how the local communities are planning on using the funding, please contact:

• City of Middletown Department of Planning, Conservation and Development, (860) 344-3425
• Town of Manchester Department of Planning, (860) 647-3044