VICE PRESIDENT GORE AND SECRETARY CUOMO ANNOUNCE $1 MILLION IN HUD ASSISTANCE FOR BURLINGTON, VERMONT

WASHINGTON - Vice President Al Gore and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $1 million in HUD grants for housing and community development programs in Burlington, Vermont.

"We are empowering communities to shape their future by giving them new flexibility to determine how to best use federal assistance," Vice President Gore said. "We know that the people of Burlington are the best experts on improving their community, and we want to help them achieve their goals."

Under Burlington's 1998 Consolidated Plan for funding, which was approved today by HUD, Burlington will receive $1 million in Community Development Block Grant funds. Among the local housing and community development efforts to be funded this year are public services, economic development, housing rehabilitation and public facility improvements.

"These funds will go toward community-based solutions to the housing and economic development challenges Burlington faces," 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."

The Vice President and the Secretary told Mayor Peter Clavelle of the assistance today during the White House Community Empowerment Conference in Washington. The Conference, attended by Mayor Clavelle, brought together about 2,000 local government officials, representatives of community development groups, business executives and others to discuss ways to revitalize communities and create jobs.

Those attending also came to learn more about President Clinton's proposal to create 15 new urban and five new rural Empowerment Zones, which would use performance grants and tax incentives to stimulate job creation and economic development.