CUOMO ANNOUNCES $77.8 MILLION FOR TENNESSEE AND 12 COMMUNITIES

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $77.8 million in HUD assistance for housing and community development programs for the State of Tennessee and 12 communities.

Cuomo announced aid to:

• Bristol ................................. $245,000
• Chattanooga............................$3.7 million.
• Clarksville..............................$1.8 million.
• Jackson................................ $1.1 million.
• Johnson City............................$626,000.
• Kingsport............................... $513,000.
• Knox County............................$1.7 million.
• Knoxville................................$3.7 million.
• Memphis................................$16.7 million.
• Murfreesboro..........................$578,000.
• Oak Ridge..............................$262,000.
• Shelby County........................$2 million.
• State of Tennessee.................$44.9 million

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

BRISTOL - $245,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to be used for neighborhood revitalization, affordable homeownership, and fair housing activities.

CHATTANOOGA - $2.4 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, $1.1 million under the HOME Investment Partnership Program, and $94,000 in Emergency Shelter Grants for homeless assistance programs. Funds will be used to expand the supply of affordable housing, rental housing development, address special housing needs of special populations, and public service programs.

CLARKSVILLE - $923,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds and $363,000 under the HOME Investment partnership program.

JACKSON - $749,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds and $348,000 under the HOME Investment Partnership program.

JOHNSON CITY - $626,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to be used for housing rehabilitation, codes enforcement, homeownership programs, and public facilities.

KINGSPORT - $513,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to be used for housing rehabilitation, and public facilities and improvements.

KNOX COUNTY - $1.4 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, and $389,000 under the HOME Investment Partnership program. Funds will be used for homebuyer assistance, new home construction, and public facilities and improvements.

KNOXVILLE - $2.5 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, $1.3 million under the HOME Investment Partnership program, $98,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds for homeless assistance.

MEMPHIS - $11 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, $4.7 million under the HOME Investment Partnership program, $440,000 in Emergency Shelter Grants for homeless assistance programs, and $485,000 for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS.

MURFREESBORO -- $578,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to be used for housing renovation, public facilities, and homeownership assistance.

OAK RIDGE -- $262,000 in Community Block Grant funds to be used for job training and placement, transitional housing programs, homebuyer assistance, and public facilities improvements.

SHELBY COUNTY -- $1.6 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, and $428,000 under the HOME Investment Partnership program.

STATE OF TENNESSEE -- $29.5 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, $13.5 million under the HOME Investment Partnership program, $1.4 million in Emergency Shelter Grant funds for homeless assistance, and $476,000 under the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program.

The community development funds are being made available to Tennessee 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.