CUOMO ANNOUNCES $11 MILLION IN HUD HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR FORT WORTH

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $11 million in HUD grants for housing and community development programs in Fort Worth, in a telephone news conference with Fort Worth Mayor Kenneth Barr.

"These funds will go toward community-based solutions to the housing and economic development challenges Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth's 1998 Consolidated Plan, which was approved by HUD, Fort Worth will receive $7.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds; $2.5 million under the HOME Investment Partnership program; $299,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds for homeless programs; and $590,000 in funding under the Housing Opportunity for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program.

Among the housing and community development efforts to be funded by the City this year are: public services; public facilities and improvements; housing acquisition and emergency rehabilitation; clearance and demolition; economic development; new construction of housing; and emergency shelter for homeless people.

Congressman Martin Frost said: "Funding from HUD helps strengthen our local communities. This award is important because it gives the City of Forth Worth an opportunity to fund such projects as housing rehabilitation, infrastructure improvement and job training. It's always encouraging to see HUD and the City of Fort Worth working together, and with this award, we're seeing that cooperation continue."

Congressman Joe Barton said: "I am very pleased by Secretary Cuomo's announcement of these funds for improvements in Fort Worth. Our community as a whole will greatly benefit from the projects these funds will create."

Congresswoman Kay Granger said: "I am pleased and proud that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded this important grant to the City of Fort Worth. This money will be used for everything from public facility improvements to building emergency shelters for the homeless. In short, it will help make Fort Worth a more livable home for many people."

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 help them realize their housing and economic development goals.