HUD AWARDS NASSAU COUNTY $20 MILLION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

NEW YORK - Nassau County will receive $20,022,019 in funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to stimulate its economy and produce affordable housing. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said the funding represents another investment in improving the living conditions for residents residing in Nassau County.

"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."

The funding announced today includes:

• $15,418,751 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds;
• $3,910,908 in HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) funding; and
• $692,360 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG).

Since 1974, HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program has awarded approximately $124 billion to state and local governments to target their own community development priorities. CDBG is one of HUD's oldest and most flexible and popular programs. The rehabilitation of affordable housing and construction of public facilities and improvements have traditionally been the largest uses 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, poverty, the age of its housing stock, and extent of overcrowded housing.

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 completed almost 900,000 affordable housing units, including over 383,000 for new homebuyers. In addition, over 209,000 tenants have received direct rental assistance.

Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) provide homeless persons with basic shelter and essential supportive services.
It can assist with the operational costs of the shelter facility, and for the administration of the grant. ESG also provides short-term homeless prevention assistance to persons at imminent risk of losing their own housing due to eviction, foreclosure, or utility shutoffs.

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities;
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 at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.