BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $24 MILLION IN
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR HONOLULU

HONOLULU - Three island communities will receive more than $24 million in federal assistance to stimulate local economies, promote affordable housing, help homeless persons and assist families and individuals with HIV/AIDS, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez announced today.

"These grants do so much good for so many people," Martinez said. "This money helps communities do the critical work of stimulating business development and job growth, providing affordable housing and helping our most
vulnerable neighbors."

The funding announced today includes:

City and County of Honolulu:

• $13,140,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds;
• $ 4,727,000 in Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds;
• $ 457,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds; and,
• $ 438,000 for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).

  Total: $18,762,000

Guam:

• $2,779,000 in CDBG funds;
• $1,499,000 in HOME funds; and,
• $ 123,000 in ESG funds.

  Total: $4,401,000

American Samoa:

• $1,028,000 in CDBG funds;
• $ 323,000 in HOME funds; and,
• $ 43,000 in ESG funds.

  Total: $1,394,000

First awarded in 1974, CDBG funds enable state and local governments to target their own economic development priorities. Although the rehabilitation of affordable housing has traditionally been the largest single use of the grants, the program is also an increasingly important catalyst for economic development activities that expand job and business opportunities for lower income families and neighborhoods.

HOME is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. Since 1992, nearly 700,000 affordable housing units have been acquired, constructed or rehabilitated and nearly 70,000 tenants have received direct rental assistance. In addition, more
than 200,000 new homebuyers have received assistance to purchase their first homes through the HOME program.

Emergency Shelter Grants help communities meet the basic shelter needs of homeless individuals and families. Part
of HUD's award-winning Continuum of Care initiative, these grants also provide transitional housing and a variety of support services designed to move the homeless away from a life on the street toward permanent housing.

HOPWA grants are distributed based on the number of AIDS cases as reported to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. The grants expand housing opportunities, provide rental assistance, and support services to individuals with HIV/AIDS and their families. In addition, the HOPWA program also helps many communities develop strategic AIDS housing plans and fill in gaps in local systems of care.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, 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 at www.hud.gov.

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