Virginia Receives HUD Funding for Localities: Announcement by Warner and Kaine
WASHINGTON – Charlottesville is one among a network of over 30 jurisdictions in Virginia that are beneficiaries of financial assistance aimed at bolstering affordable housing initiatives and community development projects.
Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, representing Virginia, made the announcement on Wednesday about the allocation of more than $98.3 million in federal funding to the Commonwealth. This sizeable sum will go towards a variety of programs dedicated to enhancing housing affordability, promoting community development, and providing assistance to people experiencing homelessness.
The capital injection originates from various programs managed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership, Emergency Solutions Grant, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS programs.
The Senators emphasized the importance of providing secure living conditions for all citizens of Virginia, stating, “All Virginians should have a safe place to live.” They further expressed their satisfaction with how these funds would contribute to community enhancement initiatives, augment the availability of affordable housing, and assist more Virginians in securing a home.
Specifically, Charlottesville is the recipient of $410,486 in CDBG funding and an additional $785,286 through the HOME program.
The purpose of the CDBG program is to disburse funding to states, cities, and counties, with the aim of supporting a broad array of community development projects. This could include infrastructure improvements, economic development initiatives, construction or rehabilitation of housing, upgrading public facilities, and providing assistance to homeowners.
Conversely, the HOME program focuses on granting financial aid to states and local jurisdictions to support the construction, purchase, or renovation of affordable housing units. Additionally, it helps to offer direct rental assistance to low-income individuals. This is typically carried out in partnership with local non-profit organizations.
Below is a more detailed breakdown of the funding allocation by program:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): The CDBG program allows for flexible allocation of funds to states, cities, and counties to stimulate community development. This could include initiatives related to infrastructure, economic development projects, housing construction or rehabilitation, public facilities improvements, and homeowner assistance, among other areas.
