HUD AWARDS $1.2 MILLION TO TWO HISPANIC-SERVING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN NEW JERSEY
Anchor institutions create valuable partnerships to serve the surrounding communities

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded nearly $6.5 million
to 11 Hispanic-Serving Institutions to help revitalize local neighborhoods, promote affordable housing and stimulate economic development in their communities. In New Jersey, grants were awarded to New Jersey City University and Passaic County Community College. The funding announced today is provided through HUD's Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) Program. For more info, go to the external website (www.oup.org/programs/aboutHSIAC.asp).

"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 ."

"I am proud that two New Jersey post-secondary institutions have received HUD funding to promote community development," said Regional Administrator Adolfo Carrión. "HUD has no higher priority than improving people's lives
and strengthening neighborhoods, and these funds will do exactly that."

"These grants will promote economic development in urban neighborhoods, and will help prepare New Jersey students for the challenges of the future," said HUD Newark Office Director Diane Johnson. "I applaud the two New Jersey awardees on their vision and commitment to their communities."

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.
For more info, go to the external website (www.oup.org).

Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) Program Summaries
for New Jersey

New Jersey City University
Grant Amount: $599,916

New Jersey City University intends to use its Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) grant to implement its E2 (Enterprise and Economic) Development Initiative to significantly enhance economic development activities in the Jersey City urban community, particularly among low- and moderate-income (LMI) entrepreneurs.
The initiative will employ a combination of proven strategies and best practices-customized assessment, intensive training and education, incubation, mentoring/coaching, and low-interest loans-to achieve its aim of establishing, sustaining, and expanding 120 LMI-run microenterprises, creating higher than minimum wage jobs, and revitalizing depressed neighborhoods in Jersey City, New Jersey. Each participant will receive a one-on-one assessment of their business needs. Based on the analysis, each LMI entrepreneur will develop action plans in concert with program
staff that will establish, sustain, or expand his/her microenterprise.

Passaic County Community College
Grant Amount: $599,952

Passaic County Community College intends to use its Hispanic-Serving Institutions Assisting Communities (HSIAC) grant to engage 216 middle school children in their hands-on Neighborhood University for Children project-based learning activities that will teach them important educational and workplace readiness skills such as problem solving, decision making, technology, communication, and teamwork. The program will further teach children important environmental concepts. The college also plans to implement its Neighborhood University for Adults, which will
provide 300 Limited English Proficient Adults with pre-occupational skills and English as a Second Language/career training in high demand areas such as childcare, healthcare, and business administration. The residents will further receive essential workplace readiness skills training, technology training, and supportive services such as childcare and transportation. As a result of these activities, local residents will improve their language proficiency and their employability skills.

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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; andtransform the way HUD does business. More information
about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.