Menendez, Lautenberg Announce $35 Million for Community Development, Affordable Housing Opportunities Across New Jersey

Newark- U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) announced today that Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, and Morris Counties, and Bayonne, East Orange, Elizabeth, Irvington, Parsippany and Union City will share $35.7 million in federal funding for community development and affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate-income families and individuals living with AIDS. The grants, awarded by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), are part of four initiatives: The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), HOME, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA).

"This critical funding will help ensure the most vulnerable New Jerseyans have a roof over their head and will give working families greater access to affordable housing," said Senator Menendez. "These investments will also help revitalize and strengthen our neighborhoods, creating jobs and economic opportunities."

"This federal fundingwill strengthen our neighborhoods, boost local economies, and help New Jersey families find a safe place to call home,"said Senator Lautenberg, a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, which funds HUD."Wewill continue fighting toinvest in New Jersey communities andimprove access to housing for families in our state."

The CDBG program provides annual grants for economic and community revitalization and to develop viable housing options in low to middle income areas. ESG offers grants to expand and improve the quality of homeless shelters. The HOME program provides grants to states and localities to fund a wide range of activities to expand affordable housing for low income individuals and families according to local needs, while the HOPWA program provides housing assistance and related supportive services to local governments and nonprofit organizations that benefit low-income persons with HIV/AIDS and their families.

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