HUD AWARDS $598,608 TO DONNELLY COLLEGE IN KANSAS CITY, KANSAS
Anchor institutions create valuable partnerships to serve the surrounding communities

KANSAS CITY, KS - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded $598,608 to Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kansas to help revitalize the local neighborhood, promote affordable housing and stimulate economic development in the local community. The grant is part of nearly $6.5 million awarded to 11 Hispanic-Serving Institutions nationally through HUD's Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) Program.

"These grants help to address the revitalization and economic development needs in the communities that surround our Hispanic-Serving Institutions," said Donovan. "Not only are we investing in communities but, we are helping to facilitate long term partnerships that will assist in addressing some of the most critical social and economic issues
that this country is facing."

Donnelly College intends to use its Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) grant for its HELP-KC project, which is designed to directly support community residents through two distinct programming options that
will: promote knowledge of and access to homeownership through educational programming; and spur and support small business development in urban core communities by offering three targeted programs to provide technical support to participants as they develop business concepts. Additionally, the project seeks to renovate a stand-
alone space on-campus to be used by community organizations and agencies, including partners for outreach, programming, and services to the community. HELP-KC outreach will impact the community by providing bilingual support and counseling to reach even more people who are individuals for whom homeownership would serve as a major transformational force to their families and would further stabilize the surrounding community by assisting individuals as they save for and navigate purchase programs.

To be eligible to apply for funding, at least 25 percent of the institution's full-time undergraduate student population must be Hispanic. In addition, all applicants must offer two- or four-year degrees and be fully accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. HUD's grants will help these institutions undertake a wide variety of activities, principally for persons of low- and moderate-income. These activities include:

• Acquiring property;
• Demolishing blighted structures;
• Rehabilitating homes, including cleaning up lead-based paint hazards and making modifications that improve accessibility;
• Improving public facilities;
• Offering assistance to small businesses, including minority-owned enterprises; and
• Supporting public services such as job training, child care, fair housing, and housing counseling.

Last year HUD provided $6 million to 10 Hispanic-Serving Institutions. The (HSIAC) 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 an effort to address local problems. For more
information about HUD's partnership with institutions of higher education, visit HUD's website and OUP's website www.oup.org.

The following Hispanic-Serving Institutions were awarded funding:

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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 and espanol.hud.gov.