HUD AWARDS $7.4 MILLION IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS TO 14 HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Southern University in New Orleans Receives $550,000

WASHINGTON - Fourteen Historically Black Colleges and Universities will receive $7.4 million to revitalize distressed neighborhoods near their campuses by expanding their role and effectiveness in neighborhood revitalization, housing, and economic development, HUD Deputy Secretary Alphonso Jackson announced today, with Southern University in New Orleans receiving $550,000.

"I believe our nation's black colleges and universities should be catalysts in bringing opportunities to African-
American communities," said Jackson. "With the help of these grants, HBCU's will continue grooming many African-American youth for careers in business, law and medicine while revitalizing the communities in which the schools reside."

The HBCU program funds grantees to carry out projects designed primarily to benefit low- and moderate-income residents or meet urgent community development needs. The grants can be used for activities such as: acquiring
real estate; demolition; homeownership assistance to low- and moderate-income persons; special economic development activities; and rehabilitation of residential, commercial or industrial buildings to correct code violations.

Southern University, in partnership with the Southern University and A& M College System; the State of Louisiana Department of Economic Development; Clifton C. James & Associates; and the Urban Design Research Center will
use the HBCU grant to address the community development needs and neighborhood revitalization of the Bienville Corridor and its Catchment area. These areas have been identified in the City's Consolidated Plan as having critical needs in terms of blighted housing requiring rehabilitation, infrastructure improvements, community reinvestment, home ownership and increased/improved employment opportunities.

HUD's HBCU Program is one of several initiatives administered by its 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.

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.

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