HUD Archives: News Releases

BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $250,000 IN HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR LAURINBURG, NORTH CAROLINA

LAURINBURG, NC - Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary Roy A. Bernardi today awarded $150,000 in federal funding for the revitalization of downtown Laurinburg and announced $103,706 for 25 rental-assistance vouchers for Laurinburg to help low-income families rent apartments or buy homes. Bernardi made the funding announcements with Rep. Robin Hayes during a news conference in Laurinburg, North Carolina.

"These grants do so much good for so many people," Bernardi said. "This money helps communities do the critical work of stimulating business development and job growth, providing affordable housing and helping our most vulnerable neighbors."

"I am pleased that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded these two grants to City of Laurinburg and Scotland County," said Hayes. "Everyone deserves to be able to live in safe and affordable housing and these grants will go a long way in affording people this opportunity. Additionally, quality housing and infrastructure is essential for economic development. While the individuals who will now be able to move into these new housing opportunities are the direct beneficiaries of these grants, everyone in Scotland County and Laurinburg are the true beneficiaries."

The Laurinburg Downtown Revitalization Corporation will receive funds provided by HUD's Rural Housing and Economic Development program. This funding is part of $25 million distributed to rural communities in 33 states and territories to help create innovative housing and economic development solutions including rehabilitation, new construction, job creation, business retention and strategic planning.

Laurinburg will use the $150,000 to hire a full time staff to begin to implement the revitalization plan and to support the pre-development cost associated with economic development and housing projects.

HUD's Rural Housing and Economic Development program helps state and local communities to encourage economic development and promote affordable housing by building the capacity needed to undertake these complex activities. These communities can use the funding to hire and train staff, purchase computers and software, develop accounting systems or hire experts to help them accomplish their economic development and housing goals.

The Laurinburg Housing Authority was awarded $103,706 for 25 Housing Choice Vouchers, approved in HUD's 2002 budget to help low-income families rent apartments or buy homes.

Laurinburg 's vouchers are part of the $95 million in vouchers HUD awarded to 48 states and Puerto Rico. The vouchers will allow 16,460 low-income families to lease or purchase homes or apartment units. All totaled, seven housing agencies in North Carolina received $1,777,975 for 381 new vouchers today.

HUD's Housing Choice Vouchers Program is the federal government's major initiative that helps low-income families, including the elderly and disabled, afford housing. This program currently assists 1.8 million families with rent payments. Over the past three years, about 300 families have used their vouchers to become homeowners. Families receiving HUD rental assistance vouchers generally pay 30 percent of their income for rent, with HUD subsidies picking up the remainder.

The vouchers distributed today are called "fair share vouchers" because they are distributed to communities that compete based on the housing needs of low-income families in each state. Only Public Housing Authorities that demonstrated an ability to use 97 percent of their 2001 vouchers were eligible to compete for the new vouchers.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet.

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