HUD AWARDS NEARLY $500,000 TO AID BRADENTON
Funding assists the City in providing a wide range of community development activities

TAMPA - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Acting Secretary Roy A. Bernardi announced today that the City of Bradenton will receive $477,478 in Community Development Block Grant Funds.

In making this announcement, Acting Secretary Bernardi said: "The primary objective of the CDBG program is to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and by expanding
economic opportunities, principally for persons of low-and moderate-income."

Entitlement communities develop their own programs and funding priorities. However, grantees must give maximum feasible priority to activities which benefit low- and moderate-income persons.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD. The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis
to 1180 general units of local government and States. Further information on the Community Development and Block Grant program.

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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, and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the
Internet and espanol.hud.gov.