CUOMO ANNOUNCES $6.7 MILLION IN HUD HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $6.7 million in HUD grants for housing and community development programs in Corpus Christi, Texas.

"These funds will go toward community-based solutions to the housing and economic development challenges Corpus Christi faces," Cuomo said. "We are funding a comprehensive strategy to create jobs and affordable housing and help homeless people become self-sufficient."

Under Corpus Christi's 1998 Consolidated Plan, which was approved by HUD, Corpus Christi will receive $4.9 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, $1.6 million under the HOME Investment Partnership program, and $193,000 in Emergency Shelter Grants for homeless programs.

HUD Deputy Secretary Saul Ramirez presented the funds to Congressman Solomon Ortiz and Corpus Christi Mayor Loyd Neal in a telephone conference call.

Among the housing and community development efforts to be funded by the city this year are: housing rehabilitation; public facilities; infrastructure; homebuyer assistance; new construction; homeless facilities; and supportive services.

Congressman Ortiz said, "These grants will not only help the working poor in our area, but infusion of this sort of capital will help increase the number of jobs associated with housing services. This combination results in a huge grant for the housing needs of Corpus Christi, and I am very proud."

Mayor Neal said, "The CDBG Program was the single most important federal domestic assistance program for the City of Corpus Christi. The CDBG Program, together with HOME and Emergency Shelter Grants, provide the city a principal tool in aiding low- to moderate-income neighborhoods and in maintaining a viable urban core. The city has joined with other cities through the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors on numerous times to endorse these HUD programs."

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.