HUD SECRETARY DONOVAN ANNOUNCES ALMOST $1 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS IN PASSAIC COUNTY

NEW YORK - Attending the New Jersey Governor's Conference in Atlantic City, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan took the occasion today to announce that Passaic County will receive $874,892 to
support community development and infrastructure projects.

"This funding represents HUD's continuing investment in helping our local partners improve their communities," said Donovan. "If we hope to lay the groundwork for sustainable growth and prosperity in the future, it's critical that we help state and local communities to make the needed improvements and to produce more affordable housing."

Passaic County will use its monies, awarded under the Department's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, to improve its public facilities and infrastructure, such as its storm drainage system, upgrade and repair sidewalks in various communities, make handicapped accessibility improvements to the community/senior center in Haledon Borough, make needed repairs to the Pompton Plains historic library, and replace the septic system at the County's shelter for victims of domestic violence. Monies will also be used to provide people with bus transportation for needed medical visits, and shopping for senior citizens in Bloomingdale, Pompton Lakes, Wanaque, and West Milford.

Since 1974, HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program has provided approximately $124 billion to state and local governments to target their own community development priorities. The rehabilitation of affordable housing and the improvement of public facilities have traditionally been the largest uses of CDBG although the
program is also an important catalyst for job growth and business opportunities. Annual CDBG funds are distributed
to communities according to a statutory formula based on a community's population, poverty, and age of its
housing stock, and extent of overcrowded housing.

###

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.