News Release

BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES $12 MILLION TO STIMULATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING IN SOUTH DAKOTA
HUD grants targeted to lower income persons and families in need

SIOUX FALLS, SD - The State of South Dakota will receive more than $12 million in funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to stimulate local economies, produce more affordable housing, and help the homeless. HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson said the funding represents another investment in improving the living conditions for South Dakota's lower income families.

"This administration is committed to promoting economic development and job growth, increasing the supply of affordable housing, and helping our most vulnerable neighbors," said Jackson. "These funds will serve as a catalyst for low-income families trying to cross the threshold into homeownership and reinforces our commitment to rebuilding entire communities."

The funding announced today includes three significant grants:

• $7,775,675 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds;
• $3,933,251 in HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) funding; and,
• $338,616 in Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG).

For the past 30 years, HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program has awarded more than $100 billion to state and local governments to target their own community development priorities. CDBG is one of HUD's oldest and most popular programs. It has been used for a number of community projects around the state and is also an important catalyst for job growth and business opportunities. CDBG funds are distributed by formula around the country based on population, income levels, poverty rates and the age of its housing stock.

"The money HUD allocates to South Dakota is a tremendous community development tool," said Gov. Mike Rounds. "Each year, we effectively leverage those dollars to create jobs, upgrade housing units and improve critical infrastructure needs across the state."

HOME (HOME Investment Partnerships Program) is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to produce affordable housing for low-income families. Since 1992, more than 600 communities nationwide have committed to produce nearly 785,000 affordable housing units, including almost 300,000 for new homebuyers purchasing their first home. In addition, over 100,000 tenants have received direct rental assistance.

Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) help local communities meet the basic shelter needs of homeless individuals and families. 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. This block grant program, in concert with more than $1 billion HUD awards by competition, helps thousands of local homeless assistance programs to help those who would otherwise call the streets their home.

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 and espanol.