CLICK OF A MOUSE ENABLES COMMUNITIES TO APPLY FOR $2.7 BILLION IN HUD COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

WASHINGTON -- Communities and housing groups interested in applying for almost $2.7 billion in community and economic development grants can do so faster and more easily than ever by logging onto the information superhighway, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo announced today.

The HUD grants are being offered through a new system of national competitions that combine 40 different Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) into three SuperNOFAs. The first SuperNOFA was issued on March 31. The second and third were issued April 30.

In the past, grant applications had to be requested in writing or by phone -- a process that often required contacting several offices and could take as long as two weeks. Today, communities can request applications almost instantly by logging onto HUD's Website -- http://www.hud.gov

Applicants with Pentium computers that feature sound cards can view and participate in live SuperNOFA training broadcasts. If a broadcast is missed, an organization can request an application or obtain a videotape of the training by calling the SuperNOFA Information Center at 1 (800) HUD-8929 or 1 (800) HUD-2209 TTY.

"This is a great example of how this Department is using advances in technology to transform the old way of doing business," Cuomo said. "Organizations that want to apply for HUD funds as a way to rebuild and strengthen their communities can now begin the process in literally the blink of an eye."

SuperNOFA video training broadcasts in May and June include (all times Eastern):

May 11 - General Overview of the SuperNOFA and Programs in SuperNOFA II, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 4 - 6 p.m.

May 20 - Economic Development Initiative and Brownfields Economic Development Initiative, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

May 27 - Mark to Market, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 5 - 7 p.m.; Continuum of Care and Housing for Persons with AIDS, 1:30 - 5 p.m.

June 1 - Lead Hazard Control Program - Local Initiative

June 5 - Tenant Opportunity Program and Economic Development and Supportive Services Overview, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 4 - 6 p.m.; National NOFA Competition, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

June 8 - Youthbuild Program, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

June 9 - Tenant Opportunity Program and Economic Development and Supportive Services Application Walk-Through, 1 - 5 p.m.

June 11 - Section 811 Supportive Housing for the Disabled and Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Programs, 1 - 4 p.m.

June 22 - Follow-up Broadcast on the Continuum of Care and Housing for Persons with AIDS Programs, Including Renewal Grants