CUOMO ANNOUNCES $13.5 MILLION IN HUD HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR KERN COUNTY COMMUNITIES

SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $13.5 million in HUD grants for housing and community development programs in Kern County.

Cuomo announced the funds - part of more than $281 million in HUD grants for 55 Southern California cities and counties - during a visit to San Bernardino as a guest of U.S. Representatives George Brown and Jerry Lewis. Congressman Lewis is the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee which funds these programs.

"These funds will go toward community-based solutions to the housing and economic development challenges Kern County communities face," Cuomo said. "We are funding a comprehensive strategy to create jobs and affordable housing, help homeless individuals become and remain self-sufficient, and increase homeownership."

Under the 1998 Consolidated Plans for community development funding, which were approved by HUD, assistance received by Kern County communities is as follows:

• Kern County -- $9.6 million to fund housing and non-housing community improvements, including $7.18 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds; $2.18 million under the HOME Investment Partnership program; and homeless assistance of $284,000 through the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) program.

• Bakersfield -- $3.9 million for community and economic development, and infrastructure improvements, including $2.7 million in CDBG funds; $1.1 million under the HOME program; and $108,000 under the ESG program.