Rep. Lowey Announces Federal Funding for Affordable Housing

10/16/09 -- WASHINGTON - Congresswomen Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today announced that organizations in Westchester and Rockland Counties will receive tens of thousands in federal funding to support a variety of housing and homeownership services, and the City of White Plains will receive more than $900,000 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“The housing crisis is especially severe in the New York metropolitan area where the cost of living is so high and affordable housing opportunities are so difficult to find,” said Lowey. “I am pleased this federal funding will support community organizations’ efforts to help those in need of housing assistance.”

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HUD is providing grants through the Housing Counseling Program to support the delivery of a wide variety of housing counseling services to homebuyers, homeowners, low- to moderate-income renters, and the homeless. The primary objectives of the program are to improve financial literacy, expand homeownership opportunities, improve access to affordable housing, and preserve homeownership.

Grant recipients in Westchester and Rockland Counties include:
o Community Housing Innovations ($23,496);
o Human Development Services of Westchester Inc. ($42,724);
o Rockland Housing and Action Coalition ($33,984); and
o Westchester Residential Opportunities Inc ($39,228).

“This funding will help us serve the increasing number of clients in need of assistance following the President’s introduction of the Making Home Affordable Program,” said Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. Director Veronica Raphael.

“We are vey excited to be able to continue providing financial literacy counseling to prospective homebuyers and homeowners who are experiencing financial difficulties, with the assistance of HUD,” said Rockland Housing and Action Coalition Director Gerri Levy.

The City of White Plains will receive $904,879 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

“CDBG grants are incredibly useful due to the wide variety of programs and activities the funding may support,” said Lowey. “I am thrilled White Plains will benefit from this federal funding, which will enable the City to make investments without raising costs for local taxpayers.”

CDBG grants are provided annually to states and local governments to facilitate development of viable urban communities through suitable housing and living environments and economic opportunities for those with low or moderate incomes.

Source: Congresswomen Nita Lowey