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HUD Archives: News Releases
HUD No. 98-508 |
Further Information: | For Release |
In the Washington, DC area: 202/708-0685 | 2 P.M. Wednesday |
Or contact your local HUD office | October 21, 1998 |
CUOMO AWARDS NEARLY $14.9 MILLION IN GRANTS TO FIGHT DRUGS AND CRIME IN PUBLIC AND ASSISTED HOUSING IN NEW JERSEY
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today awarded $14,858,900 in grants to fight drug abuse and other crimes in public and assisted housing in New Jersey.
HUD Assistant Secretary-Designate for Public and Indian Housing Harold Lucas announced the grants at a news conference in Newark with Senator Frank Lautenberg, Senator Robert Torricelli, Congressman Robert Menendez, Congressman Donald Payne, and Newark Mayor Sharpe James.
The grants will be distributed to public housing authorities and privately owned HUD-subsidized low-income housing in the following communities:
Asbury Park |
$176,000 |
Atlantic City |
$424,840 |
Bayonne |
$343,750 |
Bridgeton |
$135,000 |
Camden |
$1,184,490 |
Carteret |
$75,000 |
East Orange |
$135,000 |
Edison |
$50,000 |
Elizabeth |
$849,660 |
Garfield |
$135,600 |
Glassboro |
$54,000 |
Harrison |
$214,400 |
Highlands |
$50,000 |
Hoboken |
$351,780 |
Irvington |
$202,200 |
Jersey City |
$1,401,400 |
Lakewood |
$80,400 |
Long Branch |
$192,900 |
Millville |
$143,400 |
Morristown |
$141,000 |
Neptune |
$103,500 |
New Brunswick |
$169,800 |
Newark |
$4,862,500 |
North Bergen |
$293,100 |
Orange |
$158,700 |
Passaic |
$210,000 |
Paterson |
$561,340 |
Perth Amboy |
$172,800 |
Plainfield |
$140,700 |
Pleasantville |
$70,200 |
Rahway |
$81,900 |
Somerset |
$50,000 |
Salem |
$129,000 |
Trenton |
$508,040 |
Union City |
$135,600 |
Vineland |
$195,600 |
West New York |
$212,400 |
Wildwood |
$51,000 |
Woodbridge |
$166,800 |
"These grants are good news for some of the poorest families in New Jersey and bad news for drug dealers who terrorize them," Cuomo said. "We will fight drug abuse with prevention and treatment programs and with a crackdown on drug dealers and other criminals.
We are telling drug dealers in HUD housing to find another line of work or be sent to another type of subsidized housing - a prison cell."
Senator Lautenberg said: "The Drug Elimination Grant program helps build residents' pride in their communities, and makes public housing developments safe for our children. I am very pleased that Secretary Cuomo has recognized New Jersey's efforts to run drug dealers out of
our public housing developments by awarding these grants."
Senator Torricelli said: "Keeping drugs out of public housing reduces crime, increases school attendance, and creates a stronger, healthier community. These grants will bolster New Jersey's efforts to improve the safety and security of our public housing units."
Cuomo said the recent Congressional approval of the Department's $24.5 billion budget for the 1999 fiscal year, which he called "the best HUD budget in 10 years," will speed the transformation of public and assisted housing.
"HUD is transforming public housing from isolated ghettos of poverty, drugs, despair and crime into safe and economically integrated communities of opportunity," Cuomo said.
Nationwide, HUD is awarding $305.2 million in Drug Elimination Grants this year -
more than in any previous year. The grants will be distributed in the next several weeks in this way: $280.6 million to 749 public housing authorities; $8 million to 39 Indian Tribes; and $16.6 million to 143 privately owned housing developments that receive HUD assistance.
Another 53 privately-owned HUD-subsidized low-income housing developments will receive a total of $11.7 million from a similar program called the New Approach Anti-Drug Program.
Vice President Al Gore, Cuomo and Attorney General Janet Reno announced a four-part enforcement and prevention strategy to fight crime and drugs in public housing in June 1997. The grants announced today are one element of that strategy.
The Drug Elimination Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, based on the seriousness of the drug and crime problem facing a housing authority or assisted housing development, and the strength of local plans to address the problem.
HUD has awarded more than $1.6 billion in Drug Elimination Grants since 1989, including the grants being awarded this year.
In public housing, the Drug Elimination Grants are used for: drug prevention, intervention and treatment programs; reimbursing law enforcement agencies for providing additional security; hiring security guards and investigators; resident anti-crime patrols; and physical improvements to housing developments to enhance security - such as fencing, lighting and improved locks.
In assisted housing, the Drug Elimination Grants are used for: drug prevention and education programs; referrals to drug treatment and counseling; and physical improvements to developments to enhance security. Individual grants for assisted housing developments are limited to a maximum of $125,000.
The New Approach Anti-Drug Program ( formerly known as the Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program) provides funds for improving security at HUD-assisted developments and in surrounding neighborhoods by: hiring security guards, paying for extra police patrols, assisting in the investigation and prosecution of drug-related criminal activity, and implementing security-
related physical improvements.
HUD's budget for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1 increases funding for HUD's key programs and renewals of Section 8 rental assistance by a total of more than $2 billion in the budget over 1998 levels. Spending was increased on most HUD programs and wasn't cut in any programs.
Legislation passed in the same bill as HUD's budget will:
- Transform public housing by reducing segregation by race and income, encouraging and rewarding work, bringing more working families into public housing, and increasing the availability of subsidized housing for very poor families. In addition, the bill improves living conditions in public housing, gives the poorest families neighbors who will be role models of working families, and reduces crime. The bill also allows HUD to continue to tear down the largest failed public housing projects and replace them with new townhouse-style developments.
- Expand the supply of affordable housing by enabling 90,000 more families to get Section 8 rental assistance vouchers that will subsidize their rents in privately owned apartments - the first increase in vouchers in four years.
- Increase homeownership by raising the limit on home mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration from the current range of $86,317 in low-cost housing areas to $170,362 in high-cost areas. The bill increases the loan limits to a range of $109,032 in low-cost areas to $197,621 in high-cost areas. The higher ceiling on FHA-insured home mortgages opens the door of homeownership to thousands of families needing FHA insurance to get mortgages, but locked out now because the current loan limits have not kept pace with rising home prices.
HUD ANTI-DRUG ASSISTANCE FOR NEW JERSEY COMMUNITIES
ASBURY PARK
$176,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Asbury Park Housing Authority, which will use a comprehensive security and prevention-based approach to attack the problem of drug-related crime. Resident patrols as well as a 24-hour security guard based at Boston Way will be used to eliminate drug activity. In addition, security lighting is requested at Lincoln Village.
ATLANTIC CITY
$424,840 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Atlantic City Housing Authority to establish ongoing working relationships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, empower residents, and increase the quality of life for residents in the community and surrounding neighborhoods.
BAYONNE
$343,750 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Bayonne Housing Authority for a highly successful program modeled after the School Youth Services program of the Bayonne High School that incorporates education, recreation and counseling.
BRIDGETON
$135,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Bridgeton Housing Authority to continue funding for existing programs that were funded with a previous drug elimination grant. Plans include expansion of an after-school program and additional police services.
CAMDEN
$602,240 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Camden Housing Authority to support its Partners-in-Crime-Best-Practices program that includes law enforcement, increased defensible space, and an education program that emphasizes high school graduation.
$582,250 will go to the Camden Housing Authority to support various anti-drug and anti-crime activities.
CARTERET
$75,600 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Carteret Housing Authority to implement a supplemental police program that uses off-duty police officers for a drug prevention program. CHA has also formed a new Crime Neighborhood Anti-Drug Coalition and the Resident's Association will administer a youth drug prevention and year-round recreation program.
EAST ORANGE
$135,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the East Orange Housing Authority to continue its comprehensive drug prevention and economic development program that emphasizes job development and drug education.
EDISON
$50,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Edison Housing Authority for: 1) continued employment of a Program Coordinator to coordinate security, prevention and intervention activities; 2) an on-site intervention program; 3) a mentoring program; and 4) support groups. The programs will focus on providing positive alternatives for residents of all ages. Drug education and awareness will be integrated into all program activities.
ELIZABETH
$433,160 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Elizabeth City Housing Authority to establish ongoing working relationships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, empower residents, and increase the quality of life for residents in the community.
$416,500 will go to the Elizabeth City Housing Authority for drug and crime prevention activities.
GARFIELD
$135,600 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Garfield Housing Authority for a security training program, resident monitoring and police patrols, physical improvements to athletic fields to make them safer, a gardening program for senior citizens and youth, and an after school job skills training program.
GLASSBORO
$54,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Glassboro Housing Authority for a program at Ellis Manor that includes additional security, prevention and intervention measures, a voluntary tenant patrol, and a contract with the Glassboro Police Department for protective services.
HARRISON
$80,400 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Harrison Housing Authority for a program linking residents, the police, schools, and other agencies in an effort to increase security. Physical improvements will be made to the Community Police Substation and a monitoring system will be installed.
$134,000 will go to the Harrison Housing Authority to support various drug and crime prevention activities.
HIGHLANDS
$50,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Highlands Housing Authority for a program that focuses on prevention and intervention. The Housing Authority will enter into a Cooperative Agreement with the Tri-District Schools and Community Substance Abuse Program to implement programs that include: drug education and awareness, substance abuse counseling, treatment referrals, homework/tutoring assistance, mentoring, parenting education, peer mediation and conflict resolution, and recreational and social activities. An on-site homework/tutoring lab will be implemented. The volunteer Neighborhood Watch Program will be continued. The Housing Authority will install two surveillance cameras at Jenney Parker Manor.
HOBOKEN
$351,780 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Hoboken Housing Authority for physical improvements, monitoring cameras, fencing, increased lighting, and for youth and adult educational and recreational activities. Job training and placement will also be increased through community partnerships.
IRVINGTON
$202,200 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Irvington Housing Authority to increase security at all sites with input from the Police Department and residents.
JERSEY CITY
$942,500 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Jersey City Housing Authority to support more police coverage, after school and parenting programs. Activities will be done in partnership with the Police Department, educational institutions, and private and public sector organizations.
$218,900 in New Approach Anti-Drug Grants will go to the Van Wagenen I, Van Wagenen II, Kennedy Manor, and Lexington Manor for fencing, replacement doors, lighting, and mini-precincts throughout the area.
$125,000 will go to the Jersey City Housing Authority for an after school tutorial program and enhanced security efforts at 254 Bergen Avenue, a 36-unit mixed income family development.
$125,000 will go to the Jersey City Housing Authority for a computer/job readiness program, a family support program, and physical improvements at Arlington Gardens, a 90-unit mixed income family development.
$125,000 will go to Mid-City Associates for a comprehensive drug prevention and intervention program at Mid-City Apartments, a low-income scattered site complex.
LAKEWOOD
$80,400 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Lakewood Housing Authority for the employment of security guards and several tenant program aides, installation of fencing, and creation of various educational program activities on-site.
LONG BRANCH
$192,900 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Long Branch Housing Authority to continue its program that includes: 1) additional law enforcement by the Long Branch Police Department; 2) employment of security guards; 3) drug counseling and drug intervention activities that include drug education, referrals to treatment providers, support groups, etc.; 4) prevention activities for teens and young adults, which include social and recreational activities, educational support, and mentoring; and 5) a voluntary tenant patrol.
MILLVILLE
$143,400 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Millville Housing Authority to establish a Community Service and Referral Project in partnership with local law enforcement, human services agencies, and the city.
MORRISTOWN
$141,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Morristown Housing Authority to provide increased law enforcement and drug prevention activities along with educational, recreational, and cultural activities for children and adults through the Manahan Village Resident Center.
NEPTUNE
$103,500 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Neptune Housing Authority to continue its successful fight against drugs. The program includes supplemental community policing, continuation of the resident patrol, and a comprehensive drug prevention program. The components include conflict resolution and job skill training. Economic self-sufficiency through community partnership and leveraging resources will be a key theme of this comprehensive strategy to fight drugs and associated criminal activity via the use of resident employment and educational programs.
NEW BRUNSWICK
$169,800 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the New Brunswick Housing Authority to increase security through the use of armed security officers. These security officers will patrol within the interior areas of all three sites, including the lobbies and stairwells of the buildings. Educational services will assist residents to gain marketable employment skills to reduce the level of unemployment within the resident population. The Crime Watch Office and the Security Coordinator will decrease the response time from the call for assistance until it arrives. This system will employ a total of three residents.
NEWARK
$2,306,250 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Newark Housing Authority for physical improvements to enhance security including fencing and a 24-hour, seven days a week security force.
$2,306,250 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Newark Housing Authority for various anti-drug and anti-crime activities.
$250,000 in New Approach Anti-Drug Program funds will go to the Corinthian Housing Development Corporation to increase community policing patrols to combat the problem of open drug trafficking in the West Side Park Neighborhood.
NORTH BERGEN
$293,100 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the North Bergen Housing Authority to support community policing, a closed circuit television system, tutorial program, job skills training program, and a summer youth employment program.
ORANGE
$158,700 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Orange Housing Authority to support drug prevention activities, educational and job training and a variety of recreational programs.
PASSAIC
$210,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Passaic Housing Authority to provide enhanced security through the community police unit and resident patrols. Also will support summer programs to help residents become more self-sufficient.
PATERSON
$561,340 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Paterson Housing Authority to support three youth programs, two community relations officers, seven monitors, a Teen Summit and 16 college scholarships.
PERTH AMBOY
$172,800 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Perth Amboy Housing Authority to continue and expand activities designed to combat drugs and crime. The program includes off-duty officers at Delaney and Dunlap Homes and the Hanson apartments. Catholic Charities has been hired to provide comprehensive drug prevention and intervention services.
PLAINFIELD
$140,700 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Plainfield Housing Authority to support youth and adult services, employment programs, and the purchase of high technology devices to track drug and crime activity.
$234,500 will go to the Plainfield Housing Authority to support ongoing crime and drug prevention activities.
PLEASANTVILLE
$70,200 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Pleasantville Housing Authority to purchase security fencing and surveillance equipment, for the placement of lighting in high- risk areas and for the creation of a partnership with the Pleasantville Police Department.
RAHWAY
$81,900 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Rahway Housing Authority to continue the supplemental police protection at the Gelendenning-Kennedy-Scott Homes.
SALEM
$129,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Salem Housing Authority for a drug abuse prevention program, security lighting, and a welfare-to-work employment development program.
SOMERSET
$50,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Somerset Housing Authority to increase police visibility at Parkside. Drug prevention and awareness workshops will be provided to residents to increase their support for anti-drug efforts.
TRENTON
$508,040 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Trenton Housing Authority to continue its Self-Sufficiency and Personal Improvement program targeting single mothers on welfare, to employ residents as security guards, and to provide on-site educational, social, and recreational activities for youth.
UNION CITY
$135,600 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Union City Housing Authority to increase police visibility and to support various job training and employment programs for public housing residents.
VINELAND
$195,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Vineland Housing Authority to provide police surveillance and to continue social service programs that provide alternatives to drugs and crime for young people.
WEST NEW YORK
$212,400 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the West New York Housing Authority to continue private security patrols, drug prevention and awareness activities, and job training for residents.
WILDWOOD
$51,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Wildwood Housing Authority to support police patrols, surveillance activities, and a police substation in the area in addition to social service programs that serve as alternatives to drugs and crime.
WOODBRIDGE
$166,800 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Woodbridge Housing Authority to support uniformed foot patrols, lighting and security improvements, and prevention and intervention activities for children and adults.
$234,500 will go to the Woodbridge Housing Authority for various anti-drug and anti-crime activities.
Content Archived: January 20, 2009
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