CUOMO ANNOUNCES $863,522 IN GRANTS FOR COMMUNITIES IN MONTANA UNDER HUD DISASTER RECOVERY INITIATIVE

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $863,522 in grants to communities in Montana under HUD's Disaster Recovery Initiative, to help the communities recover from damage caused by severe storms, ice jams, melting snow and flooding last spring.

Cuomo said HUD will award the grants to the State of Montana to address unmet disaster recovery needs in these counties: Broadwater, Carbon, Dawson, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Judith Basin, Lincoln, Madison, Meagher, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Prairie, Ravalli, Richland, Roosevelt, Sanders, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland and Yellowstone. The grants were authorized under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in July.

"No amount of money can erase the devastation caused by the storms in Montana, but this assistance can help speed recovery efforts to create stronger and better communities," Cuomo said. "The Clinton Administration and all Americans stand with the people of Montana in our determination to rebuild from the damage caused by this disaster."

Funds under the HUD Disaster Recovery Initiative can be used for long-term recovery efforts, property buyouts of flood-prone properties, relocation of people and businesses, and efforts to prevent future flood damage. The program will give communities great flexibility in meeting local needs. The HUD assistance will supplement aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies.

Communities can use HUD funds for: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities; homeownership assistance, including downpayment assistance and interest rate subsides; building new replacement housing; code enforcement; and assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention related to disaster recovery.