BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $7.5 MILLION TO STIMULATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING IN MICHIGAN
HUD grants to Oakland County, Port Huron and Genesee County targeted to lower income persons and families in need

CHICAGO - Oakland County and Port Huron will receive more than $7.5 million in funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to stimulate its economy, produce affordable housing, help the homeless, and
assist families. Genesee County will receive more than $3.2 million in funding. HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson said the funding represents another investment in improving the living conditions for Michigan's lower income families.

"This Administration is committed to promoting economic development and job growth, increasing the supply of affordable housing, and helping our most vulnerable neighbors," said Jackson. "These funds will serve as a catalyst
for low-income families trying to cross the threshold into homeownership and reinforces our commitment to
rebuilding entire communities."

The funding announced today includes:

Oakland County - $6,200,327

• $4,599,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds;
  
• $1,458,045 in Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) funding; and
  
• $143,282 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG).
  

Port Huron - $1,323,835

• $1,023,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds;
• $300,835 in Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) funding.

Genesee County - $3,200,000

• $2,257,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds;
• $910,526 in Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) funding; and
• $84,572 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG).

"The impact of CDBG-funded projects can be seen in the housing stock, the business environment, the streets and the public facilities of these Michigan localities and other entitlement communities across the country," said HUD Midwest Regional Director Joseph P. Galvan.

For the past 30 years, HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program has awarded over $100 billion to state and local governments to target their own community development priorities. CDBG is one of HUD's oldest and most popular programs. The rehabilitation of affordable housing has traditionally been the largest single use of the grants although CDBG is also an important catalyst for job growth and business opportunities. CDBG funds are distributed by formula around the country based on a community's population, income levels, poverty rates and the age of its housing stock.

HOME (HOME Investment Partnerships Program) is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to produce affordable housing for low-income families. Since 1992, more than 600 communities have committed to produce nearly 785,000 affordable housing units, including almost 300,000 for new homebuyers purchasing their first home. In addition, over 100,000 tenants have received direct rental assistance.

Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) help local communities to meet the basic shelter needs of homeless individuals and families. 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. This block grant program, in concert with more than $1 billion HUD awards by competition, helps thousands of local homeless assistance programs to help those
who would otherwise call the streets their home.

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
and espanol.hud.gov

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