Click here for detailed list of HUD grants announced by President Clinton

WASHINGTON – President Clinton today announced $696 million in grants to non-profit groups around the nation to create more than 8,200 subsidized apartments for poor senior citizens and people with disabilities, along with their families. An estimated 12,400 people will live in the apartments.

"Americans should never have to choose between putting a meal on the table or putting a roof over their heads," President Clinton said. "That is why I am pleased that this month, we are awarding nearly $700 million in HUD grants to make sure that no one has to make that impossible choice."

"I want to thank HUD Secretary Cuomo for his tireless efforts to ensure that our neediest citizens have access to safe, affordable housing," the President added.

In addition to funding construction and rehabilitation projects to create the apartments, the Department of Housing and Urban Development grants will subsidize rents on the apartments for five years so that residents pay just 30 percent of their incomes as rent.

Everyone receiving the housing assistance must be classified as "very low income" - meaning a household with an income of less than 50 percent of the area median. On a national basis, this amounts to an income of less than $8,000 a year.

"These grants show that America is committed to providing housing assistance to low-income senior citizens and people with disabilities who need our help," Secretary Andrew Cuomo said. "As our nation enjoys economic prosperity created by the policies of the Clinton-Gore Administration, we must work continually to give more Americans the opportunity to escape poverty and share in that prosperity."

Cuomo said the $696 million in HUD assistance is going to non-profit groups in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico under the Section 202 Program for senior citizens and the Section 811 Program for people with disabilities. The 202 Program is awarding $563 million of the money and the 811 Program is awarding $133 million. The assistance will create and subsidize 6,583 apartment units for the elderly and 1,650 rental units for people with disabilities.

Here is a list of the assistance under the housing programs for senior citizens and people with disabilities, by state.