CUOMO ANNOUNCES $44.6 MILLION FOR MARYLAND AND SIX COMMUNITIES

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $44.6 million in HUD assistance for housing and community development programs for the State of Maryland and six communities.

Cuomo announced aid to these communities:

• Anne Arundel County ...................$3.3 million.
• Baltimore County �.................... $7 million.
• Frederick.................................� $429,000.
• Hagerstown................................. $1.1 million.
• Montgomery County..................... $8 million.
• Prince George's County................ $9.1 million.
• State of Maryland........................ $15.7 million

"These funds will go toward community-based solutions to the housing and economic development challenges faced by the state and these Maryland 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 the state and each of the communities:

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY - $2.5 million in Community Development Block Grant funds; $718,000 under the HOME Investment Partnership program, and $96,000 in Emergency Shelter Grants for homeless assistance programs.

BALTIMORE COUNTY - $4.8 million in Community Development Block Grant funds and $1.9 million under the HOME Investment Partnership Program for efforts that include affordable housing programs and a variety of community and economic development activities; and $191,000 in Emergency Shelter Grants for homeless assistance programs.

FREDERICK - $429,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for affordable housing programs and homeless assistance.

HAGERSTOWN - $1.1 million in Community Development Block Grant funds for affordable housing programs and homeless assistance.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY - $5.8 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, $1.9 million under the HOME Investment Partnership program, and $228,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds for homeless assistance. Funds will be targeted to meet the needs of the county's low- and moderate-income residents for a variety of activities, including affordable housing efforts, assistance to local businesses, and programs to eliminate housing discrimination.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY - $6.6 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, $2.2 million under the HOME Investment Partnership program, and $265,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds for homeless assistance. Funds will be used for homebuyer assistance, single-family rehabilitation programs, lead-based paint abatement, and housing assistance for special populations. Cuomo announced these grants Tuesday during a visit to Prince George's County where he met with local officials in an effort to strengthen HUD's successful partnership with the county.

STATE OF MARYLAND - $8.9 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, $6.2 million under the HOME Investment Partnership program, and $564,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds for homeless assistance.

The community development funds are being made available to Maryland 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.