SECRETARY DONOVAN APPROVES CINCINNATI'S RECOVERY ACT PLAN TO REVITALIZE NEIGHBORHOODS AND CREATE JOBS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today approved the City of Cincinnati's plan to use a $3.5 million federal grant to help stabilize and revive local neighborhoods, rehabilitate affordable housing, and improve key public facilities. Funded through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program will support state and local community development while stimulating employment.

"The President's Recovery Act allows us to invest in local solutions to the many challenges our cities and counties are confronting," said Donovan. "Today, I'm pleased to stand with the people of Cincinnati as they work to build a real and lasting recovery for themselves and their children."

The Recovery Act includes $1 billion in CDBG funding to assist state and local governments to promote a wide range of community development activities. These funds are expected to stabilize property values, prevent neighborhood blight, and create and preserve jobs. To read more about Cincinnati's proposed use of these funds, visit HUD's Recovery Act website.

Since 1974, HUD's CDBG Program has provided approximately $124 billion to state and local governments to target their own community development priorities. The rehabilitation of affordable housing and the improvement of public facilities have traditionally been the largest uses of CDBG although the program is also an important catalyst for job growth and business opportunities. Under the Recovery Act, recipients shall give priority to projects that can award contracts based on bids within 120 days.

###

HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.