WASHINGTON - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that Genesee County would receive $2,814,555 in federal assistance to stimulate local economies, promote affordable housing and help the homeless. The Office of Community Planning and Development, a division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, awarded these grants to Genesee County to improve and rehabilitate housing in the community.

“This funding will enable us to build a safe, prosperous community and create job opportunities by providing affordable housing to low-income families in Genesee County,” said Kildee. “By investing in families and neighborhoods, we will ultimately help revitalize our community and improve our quality of life.”

Genesee County will receive four separate grants, including:

·        $1,904,970 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). These funds enable local government to target its own economic development priorities. While rehabilitation of affordable housing has traditionally been the largest single use of the grants, increasingly they have become an important catalyst for economic development activities that expand job and business opportunities for lower income families and neighborhoods.

·        $811,549 Home Investment Partnerships Program Grant (HOME). A federal block grant program for state and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income families through direct rental assistance or assistance with the purchase of their first home.

·        $82,172 Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG). Part of HUD’s award-winning Continuum of Care Initiative. The ESG grants help communities meet the basic shelter needs of homeless individuals and families, and provide transitional housing and a variety of support services designed to move the homeless away from life on the street to permanent housing.

·        $15,864 American Dream Downpayment Initiative Grant (ADDI).  A division of HOME, ADDI funds homeownership opportunities by providing necessary resources for downpayment and closing cost assistance to low-income and minority first-time homebuyers.