CUOMO ANNOUNCES $4.9 MILLION IN HUD HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR TACOMA, WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $4.9 million in HUD grants for housing and community development programs in Tacoma, Washington.

"These funds will go toward community-based solutions to the housing and economic development challenges facing Tacoma," Cuomo said. "We are funding a comprehensive strategy to create jobs and affordable housing, improve public services, strengthen neighborhoods and help homeless individuals become self-sufficient."

Under Tacoma's 1998 Consolidated Plan for HUD-funded programs announced today, the City will receive $3.32 million in Community Development Block Grant funds; $1.47 million in HOME Investment Partnership Program funds; and a $125,000 Emergency Shelter Grant.

HUD Acting Deputy Secretary Saul Ramirez announced the funds to Tacoma Mayor Brian Ebersole in a telephone conference call today.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray said: "These HUD funds are essential to continue the community revitalization that Tacoma has experienced. I am pleased to work closely with Secretary Cuomo and the Clinton Administration to address Tacoma's vital community development needs."

U.S. Senator Slade Gorton said: "Given the ever escalating cost of housing in the Puget Sound area, and the need for continued economic development, these three grants will no doubt be beneficial for providing additional low income housing and job opportunities for Washington's families. I am very pleased with HUD's decision to award the grants to such a deserving community, the city of Tacoma."

Congressman Norm Dicks said: "These grants address the growing need in the Tacoma-Pierce County area for safer and more affordable housing for lower income families. I am pleased that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has once again responded to the City's request for assistance."

Mayor Ebersole said: "The City of Tacoma is pleased to formally receive these funds and we're glad that the Federal Government is allowing our local citizens and officials to determine how to best use these funds. We will use these funds to address some of our community's most pressing needs."

The $4.8 million in HUD grants to Tacoma will be used for more than 60 specific housing and community development activities proposed by the City. These activities include housing rehabilitation, downpayment assistance, and expanded construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental units. Combined, these housing investments will directly help more than 1,000 low- and moderate-income families and strengthen the entire community.

The grant money from HUD also will be used for economic development, job creation, homeless assistance and public services - including sidewalk and infrastructure improvements - in distressed neighborhoods. In addition to direct economic investment, the City is moving forward with the implementation of an economic development loan pool to provide funds to qualified businesses in Tacoma's HUD-designated Enterprise Community.

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.