Sens. Menendez, Booker Announce Over $45.6M in HUD Grants to Improve NJ Communities, Increase Housing Options

NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-NJ) today recognized the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's awarding of a total $45,629,059 to New Jersey communities in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program and HOME funding, which support affordable housing, economic development, and homeless services and shelters.

"Individuals, families and all of our communities benefit when we increase and improve affordable housing options," said Senator Menendez, Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. "This funding will help New Jersey communities meet their critical local housing needs, revitalize neighborhoods and expand economic opportunity for all. Our communities and economy are stronger when we make investments like these that allow all of us to move forward together."

"We must create pathways of opportunity for all New Jerseyans, especially our low-income and homeless residents," said Senator Booker. "As a former mayor, I have seen firsthand the impact federal grant programs have in helping communities throughout our state. This grant will allow us to focus on providing temporary and permanent shelter to those who are living on the fringe of our community, helping them to succeed and in turn uplifting all communities as well as the regional economy."

Grant information follows:

The CDBG program provides annual grants to states and local communities to develop viable urban communities by offering decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.

The ESG program provides funding to expand homeless outreach; improve the number, quality and operations of emergency homeless shelters; provide essential services to shelter residents, find them new places to live and prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless.

The HOPWA program provides housing assistance and related support services to meet the special needs of people with HIV and AIDS.

The HOME program helps expand the supply of decent, affordable housing to low- and moderate-income families by providing grants to states and local communities to fund housing programs that meet local needs and priorities.

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