| HUD No. 00-196 | |
| Further Information: | For Release |
| In the Washington, DC area: 202/708-0685 | Wednesday |
| Or contact your local HUD office | August 2, 2000 |
CUOMO ANNOUNCES $200,000 IN GRANTS TO HELP NEW YORK FAMILIES FIND BETTER HOUSING
WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced that HUD is providing $200,000 in housing counseling assistance grants to help thousands of families in Brooklyn find better housing, either by becoming homeowners or finding places to rent.
The funding will go to the United Jewish Organizations (UJO) of Williamsburg, an umbrella organization for about 140 congregations, educational, religious and civil institutions that serve the Jewish community in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn.
Cuomo announced the grant in a meeting today in Brooklyn with members of the UJO. Joining Cuomo in the meeting was U.S. Rep. Ed Towns.
"These grants support the critical work of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg," Cuomo said. "By combining Federal funds with UJO resources, we are better able to meet the housing needs of this community."
The UJO currently provides a wide range of housing related services to the local community, including home-buyer education, marketing of new housing developments, working with the City of New York in planning new uses of vacant city-owned properties, and advocating zoning changes to increase potential housing opportunities.
The Housing Counseling Assistance Program enables anyone who wants to buy a home -- whether through a HUD program or the private market -- to receive counseling about being a responsible owner. The counseling is provided by HUD-approved housing counseling agencies, such as the UJO. Counseling sessions are normally one-on-one, and provide information, guidance and advice about all stages of homeownership, including: pre-purchase questions, mortgage payments, and avoiding foreclosure. In addition to working with potential homeowners, the Housing Counseling Assistance grants may also be used to work with potential or current renters.
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