Providence, RI. – Governor Lincoln D. Chafee joined the Rhode Island Division of Planning's Office of Housing and Community Development today to announce that 26 Rhode Island cities and towns will receive nearly $5.3 million in grants from the 2014 Rhode Island Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
The grants are given to municipalities, which do not receive direct funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and they use the funds to improve neighborhoods and build stronger communities. This year, priority was given to activities designed to improve or increase the supply of housing available to low and moderate income families and economic development proposals particularly in distressed neighborhoods.
"I am pleased that Rhode Island's cities and towns are receiving nearly $5.3 million in federal funds to continue their efforts to make our state a great place to live and work," Governor Chafee said. "Through these grants, HUD is allowing our communities to enhance housing opportunities, develop a stronger living environment and create economic opportunities for Rhode Islanders."
"The quality of applications received demonstrates the commitment Rhode Island communities have to promoting effective community development throughout the State," Michael Tondra, chief, Rhode Island Office of Housing and Community Development, said.
A breakdown of the grants by general category and percent of the total award is as follows:
Housing Rehabilitation 22.74 percent Housing Projects 29.41 percent Public Facilities Improvements 21.65 percent Economic Development 4.51 percent Public Services 12.67 percent Administration and Planning 9.02 percent
Below is a listing of the municipalities and the grant amount they received:
1. Bristol $253,000 2. Burrillville $550,000 3. Central Falls $550,728 4. Coventry $ 30,696 5. Cumberland $ 70,000 6. East Greenwich $ 97,468 7. Exeter $ 77,000 8. Foster $156,200 9. Glocester $ 2,000 10. Hopkinton $325,769 11. Jamestown $194,850 12. Johnston $ 73,500 13. Lincoln $ 8,900 14. Little Compton $ 10,000 15. Middletown $127,234 16. Newport $396,500 17. North Providence $196,350 18. Portsmouth $ 20,000 19. Richmond $115,019 20. Scituate $111,800 21. Smithfield $134,366 22. South Kingstown $309,250 23. Tiverton $517,400 24. Warren $218,982 25. West Warwick $531,875 26. Westerly $200,300
Preliminary amounts above are subject to negotiations and approval by municipality. Additional amounts, not included in the totals above, may be committed in FY'15 CDBG funds.
For more information, contact Allison Rogers at 401-222-2280 or allison.rogers@doa.ri.gov
The State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is intended to develop viable communities by providing decent housing, expanding economic opportunities and creating suitable living environments - primarily for low/moderate income persons (those earning at or below 80 percent of Area Median Income). Each year the State of Rhode Island receives a formula allocation of CDBG funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to be distributed to eligible Rhode Island communities.