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HUD DELIVERS ALMOST $4 MILLION IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING FUNDS FOR ONONDAGA COUNTY
HUD grants invest in people and places in need

BUFFALO --- Onondaga County will receive $3,945,834 in federal assistance through the Department of Housing and Urban Development to stimulate local economies, produce affordable housing, and help the homeless. In making today's announcement, HUD's Regional Director Marisel Morales said the funding signals HUD's commitment to helping local communities design their own plan to help lower income families.

"The funding we announce today is an investment in Onondaga County's future - promoting economic development and job growth, increasing the supply of affordable housing, and helping our most vulnerable neighbors." said Morales. "This funding is evidence of HUD's continuing commitment to provide communities with resources to meet the particular needs of their residents."

The funding announced today includes:

• $ 2,923,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds (including $368,000 for the Town of Clay, a joint grantee with the County). Approximately 46% of these funds are allocated to homebuyer and housing rehabilitation activities, with another 36% allocated to 20 different public works projects in communities throughout the County's CDBG Consortium. The balance of funds is allocated to commercial rehabilitation, public services, planning and program administration.
• $ 939,834 in Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) funding, of which 75% will be used for housing rehabilitation, with the balance for homebuyer assistance and program administration.
• $ 83,000 in Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG), providing assistance to 7 different programs and homeless shelters. Approximately 53% of the grant will support shelter operations, with another 36% allocated to human services, and the balance to homelessness prevention and program administration.

HOME (Home Investment Partnerships Program) is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. Since 1992, nearly 700,000 affordable housing units have been acquired, constructed or rehabilitated and nearly 70,000 tenants have received direct rental assistance. In addition, more than 200,000 new homebuyers have received assistance to purchase their first homes through the HOME program.

Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) help communities meet the basic shelter needs of homeless individuals and families. Part of HUD's award-winning Continuum of Care initiative, these grants also provide transitional housing and a variety of support services designed to move the homeless away from a life on the street toward permanent housing.

HUD's block grant programs are distributed by formula around the country based on criteria including population, income levels, poverty rates and age of housing stock.

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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