WASHINGTON - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that the 5^th Congressional District of Michigan would receive $9,698,644 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 (HUD), awarded these grants to Flint, Saginaw and Bay City to improve and rehabilitate housing in these communities.

“This funding will enable us to build a safe, prosperous community and create job opportunities by providing affordable housing to low-income families in Flint, Saginaw and Bay City,” said Kildee. “Unfortunately, the Bush tax cuts and resulting budget cuts have led to reductions in funding for vital HUD programs like CBDG, HOME, and ESG.  By investing in families and neighborhoods, we will ultimately help revitalize our community and improve our quality of life”

Flint, Bay City and Saginaw will receive the following grants, with program descriptions below:

·        Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The 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 are an important catalyst for economic development that expands job and business opportunities for lower income families and neighborhoods.

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

·        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.