CUOMO ANNOUNCES $27.4 MILLION FOR 12 MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES

TAYLOR, MI - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $27.4 million in HUD assistance for housing and community development programs in 12 Michigan communities.

On a visit to Taylor, Cuomo announced aid to these communities:

• Ann Arbor ............... $2 million.
• Grand Rapids............ $6.4 million.
• Holland.................… $420,000.
• Kent County............. $1.6 million.
• Lansing...................... $3.6 million.
• Pontiac....................... $2.9 million.
• Portage....................... $258,000.
• Royal Oak.................. $1.5 million.
• Sterling Heights......... $702,000.
• Taylor ...................... $788,000.
• Warren.......................$1.5 million.
• Wayne County ............. $5.7 million.

"These funds will go toward community-based solutions to the housing and economic development challenges faced by these Michigan communities," Cuomo said. "We are funding a comprehensive strategy to create jobs and affordable housing, help homeless Americans become self-sufficient, and increase homeownership."

Here is a summary of HUD funding for each of the communities:

ANN ARBOR - $1.3 million in Community Development Block Grant funds and $651,000 under the HOME Investment Partnership program for programs including housing rehabilitation, public improvements, economic development and technical assistance.

GRAND RAPIDS - $4.7 million in Community Development Block Grant funds for housing rehabilitation and construction and improvements to recreational facilities for youth; $1.5 million under the HOME Investment Partnership Program for efforts that include providing legal services for low- and moderate-income households; and $183,000 in Emergency Shelter Grants for homeless assistance programs.

HOLLAND - $420,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for programs including housing rehabilitation, paint and tool lending, after-school activities for students, credit and budget counseling, and homeownership assistance.

KENT COUNTY - $1.6 million in Community Development Block Grant funds for programs including: housing rehabilitation; purchase of ambulance equipment and fire department pumpers; senior citizen center improvements; flood drain, street, and sidewalk improvements; and historic preservation.

LANSING - $2.4 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, $1.1 million under the HOME Investment Partnership program, and $93,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds for homeless assistance to fund programs including housing rehabilitation, public services, public improvements and micro-enterprise assistance.

PONTIAC - $2 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, $784,000 under the HOME Investment Partnership program and $85,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds for homeless assistance to fund programs including public improvements, public services, residential rehabilitation, homebuyer assistance and emergency shelter activities.

PORTAGE - $258,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for programs including housing rehabilitation, public facility improvements and public services.

ROYAL OAK - $1.5 million in Community Development Block Grant funds for programs including housing rehabilitation, public services and public improvements.

STERLING HEIGHTS - $702,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for programs including assistance for people with disabilities, home repair and property improvements.

TAYLOR - $788,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for programs including the rehabilitation of 40 houses, an upgrade of a senior citizens center, the improvement of public facilities that benefit seniors, and the renovation of a park in a low- and moderate-income neighborhood.

WARREN - $1.1 million in Community Development Block Grant funds to rehabilitate 22 homes, pave city streets and hire additional police officers; and $406,000 under the HOME Investment Partnership program for housing construction and the rehabilitation of rental properties.

WAYNE COUNTY - $3.6 million in Community Development Block Grant funds to rehabilitate 140 houses, improve street, water and sewer systems, and provide transportation services to senior citizens. Almost $1.5 million in HOME Investment Partnership program funds will help provide downpayment assistance to 90 families. $141,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds that will be used to support the activities of the county's Family Center for Homeless Families.

In addition to the $5.2 million in community development funds, Cuomo announced that Wayne County also will receive $535,000 in HUD loan guarantees to help provide municipal water service to a low-income area. The project includes the construction of a two-mile long water main that completes a major link in the county's public water system.

The community development funds are being made available to Michigan communities under HUD's 1998 Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Planning process was developed by Cuomo when he served as HUD Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development. The process ensures that local residents have strong input into the creation of comprehensive, community-based housing and economic development plans.

The streamlined funding 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 achieve their housing and economic development goals.