VICE PRESIDENT GORE AND SECRETARY CUOMO ANNOUNCE $69.8 MILLION IN HUD ASSISTANCE FOR DETROIT, MICHIGAN

WASHINGTON - Vice President Al Gore and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $69.8 million in HUD grants for housing and community development programs in Detroit, Michigan.

"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 Detroit are the best experts on improving their community, and we want to help them achieve their goals."

Under Detroit's 1998 Consolidated Plan for funding, which was approved today by HUD, Detroit will receive $50.9 million in Community Development Block Grant funds; $15.4 million in funding under the HOME Investment Partnership; $2 million in Emergency Shelter Grants; and $1.4 million for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). Among the local housing and community development efforts to be funded this year are: single-family and multi-family home repair for over 500 units; public service and public facility activities; demolition of over 350 structures; tenant-based rental assistance; job training and aftercare for the homeless; and in-home care, housing certificates and support services for HOPWA.

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

During a visit to Taylor, Michigan on July 11, 1998, Secretary Cuomo announced $27.4 million in HUD assistance for housing and community development programs in 12 Michigan communities including: Ann Arbor; Grand Rapids; Holland; Kent County; Lansing; Pontiac; Portage; Royal Oak; Sterling Heights; Taylor; Warren; and Wayne County.

The Vice President and the Secretary told Mayor Dennis Archer of the assistance today during the White House Community Empowerment Conference in Washington. The Conference, attended by Mayor Archer, 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.