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HUD Archives: News Releases
| HUD No. 98-543 |
| Further Information: | For Release |
| In the Washington, DC area: 202/708-0685 | Tuesday |
| Or contact your local HUD office | October 27, 1998 |
CUOMO AWARDS NEARLY $44.4 MILLION IN GRANTS TO FIGHT DRUGS AND CRIME IN PUBLIC AND ASSISTED HOUSING IN NEW YORK STATE
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today awarded $44,371,570 in grants to fight drug abuse and other crimes in public housing and HUD-assisted housing in 37 communities throughout New York State.
The grants will be distributed to housing authorities and owners of HUD-subsidized housing for low-income families in the following cities:
|
Albany |
$885,170 |
Newark |
$50,000 |
|
Amsterdam |
$79,200 |
Niagara Falls |
$254,700 |
|
Binghamton |
$192,300 |
Peekskill |
$84,600 |
|
Buffalo |
$1,463,940 |
Plattsburgh |
$168,600 |
|
Cohoes |
$91,800 |
Port Chester |
$272,000 |
|
Freeport |
$180,500 |
Poughkeepsie |
$108,000 |
|
Geneva |
$75,300 |
Rochester |
$900,000 |
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Glen Cove |
$75,000 |
Saratoga Springs |
$101,700 |
|
Hempstead |
$500,000 |
Schenectady |
$300,300 |
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Herkimer |
$52,500 |
Spring Valley |
$50,000 |
|
Ilion |
$50,000 |
Syracuse |
$739,380 |
|
Ithaca |
$102,300 |
Troy |
$373,800 |
|
Kingston |
$50,000 |
Tuckahoe |
$50,000 |
|
Long Beach |
$113,100 |
Uniondale |
$340,340 |
|
Massena |
$72,300 |
Utica |
$311,700 |
|
Monticello |
$50,000 |
Watervliet |
$91,800 |
|
Mount Vernon |
$250,000 |
White Plains |
$50,000 |
|
New Rochelle |
$162,900 |
Yonkers |
$678,340 |
|
New York City |
$35,000,000 |
|
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"These grants are good news for some of the poorest families in New York 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."
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 are being distributed this month 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. About 900 housing authorities, 60 Indian tribes and 500 privately owned housing developments applied for the grants being awarded this year.
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, and signed by the President, 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 COMMUNITIES IN NEW YORK STATE
ALBANY
$433,250 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Albany Housing Authority to implement various prevention programs such as a technological training center and Boys and Girls Club at select sites. There will also be increased law enforcement.
$451,920 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Albany Housing Authority to continue its contract with the City of Albany Police Department to provide a Special Detail Police Patrol at all AHA sites. Services proposed are beyond those provided in the baseline services and are, therefore, considered a Housing Authority police division.
AMSTERDAM
$79,200 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Amsterdam Housing for Project "Bridge," which will bridge education, employment, human services, crime prevention and community resources, for the benefit of Public Housing families.
BINGHAMTON
$192,300 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to Binghamton Housing Authority to fund a collaborative program created by residents, staff, and community partners incorporating law enforcement, drug prevention, and drug intervention.
BUFFALO
$1,213,940 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority which will utilize a "weed and seed" approach towards the elimination of drug-related crime at its developments. On the law enforcement end of the equation, the grant will fund officers for a crime prevention unit, a drug task force, and a statistical bank essential for monitoring drug-related activities. On the drug prevention side, the housing authority will continue programs such as educational enrichment, and the Boys and Girls Club.
A $250,000 Drug Elimination Grant will go to Buffalo's Lower West Side neighborhoods including Shoreline Apartments to fund an array of programs to combat drug related activities in the community's developments. Activities will focus on law enforcement and drug prevention. Specific activities include increased security, undercover work, and drug raids.
COHOES
$91,800 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Cohoes Housing Authority for "P.R.A.I.S.E.," an array of programs that will reach, affect, intervene, strengthen and empower residents of public housing.
FREEPORT
$180,500 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Freeport Housing Authority for Drug Prevention programs, Tenant Patrols, and private Security to eliminate drugs and drug related crime within the confines of the Freeport Housing Authority and immediate vicinity.
GENEVA
$75,300 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Geneva Housing Authority, which will contract with retired police officers (as independent contractors) to provide security services at all of the Geneva Housing Authority's properties.
GLEN COVE
$75,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Glen Cove Housing Authority to hire a Drug Elimination Program coordinator to serve as a link between the Housing Authority residents and the programs and services available in the community, to empower residents as well as to combat drugs and crime.
HEMPSTEAD
$250,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to Jackson Terrace Associates for Jackson Terrace Apartments to fund physical improvements including: silent roof door alarms, front and rear door replacement, a keyless entry system, a new communications system for direct monitoring of the development by the Hempstead Police Department and additional outdoor lighting. In addition, a drug prevention program called the "100 Terrace Drug Elimination Coalition" will be funded in cooperation with the Family Services Association of Nassau County, a non-profit organization specializing in family support and drug prevention programs.
$250,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to Jackson Terrace to address and eradicate the drug-related criminal activity that exists in the Terrace Avenue neighborhood including Jackson Terrace. Specific operations related to law enforcement include additional patrol support and surveillance.
HERKIMER
$52,500 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Herkimer Housing Authority for a drug prevention program that focuses on providing increased police presence at three developments; career/admissions counseling for furthering education; youth programs and drug abuse referrals.
ILION
$50,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Ilion Housing Authority for "The Positive Place for Kids," a drug elimination plan designed to help underprivileged kids build character and self esteem, and instill personal pride in their neighborhoods and respect for law and order.
ITHACA
$102,300 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Ithaca Housing Authority whose program to combat drug-related crime is comprehensive and based on its effective partnerships with local entities. The grant funds will be used to continue the increased patrolling of law enforcement officers on its public housing sites. It will also allow for activities related to "Welfare to Work", such as job training and education. Youth programs are also to be funded under this grant.
KINGSTON
$50,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Kingston Housing Authority to reduce and eliminate drug-related crime; establish ongoing relationships with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, and other organizations to assess the problem and bring additional resources to a comprehensive approach to the problem; empower and employ residents; and increase the quality of life for residents in the community and surrounding neighborhoods.
LONG BEACH
$113,100 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Long Beach Housing Authority to provide law enforcement and drug prevention activities to eliminate drugs and crime from public housing. Programs incorporate additional police coverage, education, recreation, and employment components.
MASSENA
$72,300 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Massena Housing Authority to fund the continuation of its two part-time security guards positions, the continuation of its Tenant Activity Coordinator's position and Youth Activity Aide's position.
MONTICELLO
$50,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Monticello Housing Authority to fund security guards and resident patrols, promote job skills development training and create an outreach program. The plan is designed to enable residents to become economically self-sufficient while it also offers long term solutions to drug abuse and related crime.
MOUNT VERNON
A $250,000 Drug Elimination Grant will go to Levister Towers, Ebony Gardens, Macedonia Towers, Grace House and the Third Avenue Corridor Neighborhood. The grant will allow for an array of programs to combat drug-related activities in the developments. Activities will focus on law enforcement and drug prevention. Specific operations related to law enforcement include additional patrol support and surveillance.
NEW ROCHELLE
$162,900 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority and enable the Housing Authority and residents to continuing working together to eliminate crime and drugs in their developments. The Housing Authority's program incorporates Community Policing, Resident Security Officers, a comprehensive educational component and a Summer Youth Educational/Training program.
NEW YORK CITY
$35,000,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the New York City Housing Authority to fund an array of programs to combat drug-related crime in its developments. Law enforcement efforts funded by the HUD grants include continuation of a program that enables 350 police officers to provide a broad range of intensive law enforcement services to public housing, such as concentrated patrols of buildings, community centers and grounds. An Anti-Narcotics Strike Force of investigators will work with law enforcement agencies to arrest and evict residents involved in selling drugs. Officers will also be deployed on an Anti-Graffiti/Anti-Vandalism Project. In addition, HUD will fund resident anti-crime patrols. Drug prevention and treatment programs that will be funded by HUD include a number of activities that give teen-agers alternative activities to gangs and drugs. These actives include: a Summer Youth Employment Program for teen-agers that gives them jobs skills and makes physical improvements to public housing; and sports and recreational activities such as baseball, tennis, gymnastics, Scouting and the Inner City Games. In addition, HUD funds: programs to help victims of domestic violence involving drug and alcohol abuse; and a drug treatment outreach and referral program for drug abusers in public housing.
NEWARK
$50,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Newark Housing Authority to fund Project Education which provides education and training at all Housing Authority developments. Programs consisting of drug prevention, parenting and GED will help tenants move from welfare to work.
NIAGARA FALLS
$254,700 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Niagara Falls Housing Authority to fund a comprehensive program to eliminate drug-related crime in three Niagara Falls Housing Authority Projects.
PEEKSKILL
$84,600 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Peekskill Housing Authority which will focus on eliminating crime and drugs in Bohlmann Towers, Dunbar Heights and Part Street developments. The Housing Authority's program incorporates a resident security officer program and an extensive educational/summer employment/training component.
PLATTSBURGH
$168,600 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Plattsburgh Housing Authority to provide the Housing Authority with the resources necessary to deter drug-related crime in its communities. The Housing Authority will contract with local law enforcement agencies for a community police officer. This officer will, at a minimum, provide foot and bicycle patrols, drug education, and data collection. A youth enrichment program, which provides educational and recreational opportunities, will also be expanded.
PORT CHESTER
$170,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Port Chester Housing Authority to provide private security, drug prevention programs, and tenant patrols to eliminate drug related crimes in and around our Public Housing complexes.
$102,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Port Chester Housing Authority for private security, drug prevention programs, and tenant patrols is a multi-faceted approach to eliminate drug related crimes in and around our public housing complexes.
POUGHKEEPSIE
$108,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Poughkeepsie Housing Authority to fund Positive Action, a program that fights crime through integration, opportunities and networking. The Housing Authority uses a comprehensive security and preventive approach.
ROCHESTER
$650,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Rochester Housing Authority to continue its efforts to reduce drug related crime in and around public housing sites through community policing, drug prevention, intervention, resident patrols, and contractual security.
A $250,000 Drug Elimination Grant will go to Rochester's Los Flamboyanes to provide security, and investigate and prosecute drug-related criminal activity in the Upper Falls neighborhood.
SARATOGA SPRINGS
$101,700 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority. These funds will enable residents, working in conjunction with the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority, the City Police Department and the community to empower and protect the Public Housing community through Law Enforcement and prevention services.
SCHENECTADY
$300,300 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Municipal Housing Authority of Schenectady for PROJECT PRIDE, an aggressive anti-drug program that encourages community and individual pride and utilizes successful agency programs to educate, counsel, manage and eliminate illegal drugs use.
SPRING VALLEY
$50,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Village of Spring Valley Housing Authority to fund a comprehensive program to provide tenant patrols and drug prevention services to create and protect a safe and healthy environment for residents.
SYRACUSE
$614,380 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Syracuse Municipal Housing Authority to fund a comprehensive drug prevention program aimed at reducing the incidence of drug use among residents of family public housing developments as well as improving resident security.
A $125,000 Drug Elimination Grant will go to Robert Sampson, Jr. for Rolling Green Estates to fund physical improvements designed to limit access to the property by outsiders and to promote safety on the property.
TROY
$373,800 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Troy Housing Authority to fund H.A.D.I.T., which will provide security measures and programs to prevent the use of drugs.
TUCKAHOE
$50,000 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Tuckahoe Housing Authority to help reclaim its sites from the drug trade. Through community policing, resident patrols, and an on-site police substation and CCTV system, the Housing Authority will keep the sites drug free. Anti-drug economic opportunity education will also be provided.
UNIONDALE
$340,340 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Town of Hempstead Housing Authority, which proposes to eliminate drugs in public housing developments by increasing police patrols, providing educational and training programs, tutorial/sports and summer youth employment.
UTICA
$311,700 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Utica for its Coordinated Drug Elimination Strategy, a program to eliminate drugs and drug related crime through police patrols, security oversight, tenant patrols, and drug prevention and intervention strategies.
WATERVLIET
$91,800 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Watervliet Housing Authority to provide In-Home Direct programming on various life skills that will help increase the self esteem of both children and parents, thus establishing a strong foundation against drugs. The program also provides an after-school environment conducive to a life free of drug activity.
YONKERS
$678,340 in Drug Elimination Grants will go to the Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Yonkers. Yonkers' Drug Elimination program is a successful, comprehensive approach to attacking the problems associated with drug-related behavior. The Housing Authority's program includes: increased law enforcement, tenant watch, outpatient drug treatment, after- school tutoring and counseling, and assorted initiatives for job training.
Content Archived: January 20, 2009
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