BUSH ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $9 MILLION TO HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
$700,000 was awarded to Savannah State University

ATLANTA - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today awarded nearly $9 million to 13 historically Black colleges and universities to help revitalize neighborhoods near their campuses. Preston made the announcement at the 2008 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week Conference in Washington. Georgia received $700,000 for Savannah State University.

"Historically black colleges and universities are anchors for economic development in their communities, and I'm pleased HUD can play a role in helping to support the neighborhoods that surround these important institutions of higher learning," said Preston. "HUD is proud of our partnership with these colleges and universities to help them improve neighborhoods, offer needed public services, and stimulate community development around their campuses."

The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities is coordinating the four-day national conference commemorating National HBCU Week.

Savannah State University intends to use its Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) grant to expand its role and effectiveness in addressing community development in Savannah by partnering with the City of Savannah
to accomplish key redevelopment goals in the HUD-approved West Savannah Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area. The three initiatives proposed will help level the playing field by providing opportunities, information, and
support for low and moderate income families and youth who want to advance and break the cycle of generational poverty. Activities proposed by the University will focus on empowerment and asset-building, the Micro-Business Advancement Center, the Youth Advancement Center, and the Family Advancement Center. These three centers
will be located within walking distance of each other in West Savannah and will offer convenient access to the services provided for neighborhood residents. The overall goals of the projects are to: increase the number of individuals choosing to establish businesses in the West Savannah target area, increase family and individual
financial well-being, connect area youth and adults to business and job opportunities, and remove some of the barriers to economic advancement for area youth and adults.

HUD's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Program is designed to help these institutions address pressing community development needs in their communities. These needs include neighborhood revitalization, housing, and economic development, and other programs that benefit low- and moderate-income families.

Since 1991, HUD has awarded approximately $147 million to stimulate economic and community development in the neighborhoods surrounding the HBCU. The HBCU 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 a shared search for answers to pressing urban problems. More information about OUP and its programs is available on the Internet at www.oup.org.

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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.

For further information, contact Gloria Shanahan at (305) 536-5678 ext. 2254