CUOMO ANNOUNCES $28.5 MILLION IN HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $28.5 million in HUD grants for housing and community development programs in Miami-Dade County, FL, in a telephone news conference with Mayor Alex Penelas, Senator Bob Graham, Congressman Clay Shaw and Congresswoman Carrie Meek.

"These funds will go toward community-based solutions to the housing and economic development challenges Miami-Dade County faces," Cuomo said. "We are funding a comprehensive strategy to create jobs and affordable housing, help homeless people become self-sufficient, provide housing assistance to people with AIDS, and increase homeownership."

Under Miami-Dade County's 1998 Consolidated Plan, which was approved by HUD, Miami-Dade County will receive $22.2 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds; $5.4 million under the HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) program and $875,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds.

Among the housing and community development efforts to be funded this year are: infrastructure improvements, elimination of physical barriers, providing homeownership opportunities and commercial revitalization.

Senator Bob Graham said: "I am very pleased that Miami-Dade County will receive these important grants. This funding is essential in empowering residents to improve their communities and their lives."

Congressman Clay Shaw said: "These grants are an ideal example of returning power to local governments. The flexibility provided by HUD allows Miami-Dade to use these resources to their strongest potential. This will be a tremendous asset for the Metro area."

Congresswoman Carrie Meek said: "As a member of the subcommittee that funds HUD, I have been working very closely with Secretary Cuomo on many ways to use the resources of HUD to bear on the housing and economic development problems that we have in Dade County. Particularly, in Liberty City, Overtown, Opa-Locka, and Winwood. I am also pleased that the Secretary is putting greater emphasis on urban development. Our unemployment rate in Dade is much higher than the rest of the state, and much higher than the national average. In many parts of our community the local economy is stagnant. I want to work with the Secretary to make Miami an economic development model for the rest of the nation."

Congressman Peter Deutsch said: "These grants go a long way in ensuring the well being of thousands of Miami-Dade residents. The funds will dramatically improve housing and economic opportunities throughout our community. I applaud the administration's continued commitment to our community's development."

Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas said: "Miami-Dade County values and appreciates our partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD grants and incentives such as those available through the Consolidated Plan and Empowerment Zone will enable Miami-Dade County to exponentially enhance the impact of our housing and community and economic development dollars."

The Consolidated Planning process, developed by Cuomo when he served as HUD Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, ensures that local residents have strong input into the creation of comprehensive, community-based housing and economic development plans. The streamlined process gives communities maximum local flexibility while reducing burdensome regulatory requirements. Local HUD staff are empowered to work closely with communities to customize Consolidated Plans and to help them realize their housing and economic development goals.