Housing

Arkansas
Funding was allocated between seven different housing programs today by the federal government. The formula programs will bring $88,095,522 to Arkansas. The amounts for individual cities and counties are automatically allocated and do not require application.

Connecticut
3/25/09 - Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced today that federal stimulus grants totaling $35,743,555 for local housing authorities have been approved, according to The News-Times. Gov. Rell's Connecticut Recovery Working Group authorized the grants Monday.

Massachusetts
Massachusetts is expected to receive $45 million to combat homelessness.  In addition, the state is eligible for an estimated $60 million to help restart more than 30 affordable housing projects.

Minnesota
State Representative Karen Clark who chairs the Committee on Housing Finance and Policy and Public Health Finance, has outlined some key housing-related provisions in the federal stimulus bill and its impacts on Minnesota includes:

  • $30 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds that can be used to address foreclosures.
  • $3.75 million for energy retrofitting and “greening” of federally assisted housing in Minnesota.
  • $120 million (12 times the typical amount) in weatherization funds to be distributed by the Minnesota Department of Commerce through a network of community agencies.
  • $56 million in capital funds to help fix up public housing that’s in disrepair across Minnesota.

According to Clark, “The bottom line: if Minnesota invests in the production of affordable homes with both the state and new federal funds, we can meet the needs of struggling families and create good jobs that stimulate the economy for the whole state.”

Clark says she intends to take her committee on a tour in the next month to see the effects of home foreclosure first-hand.

Nevada
4/8/09 - Reno/Lyon County receives $970,882 for a Neighborhood Stabilization program.

New Jersey
3/26/09 - Six Central New Jersey communities will receive $3.2 million collectively in fedreal stimulus funds to be used for capital improvements at their housing authorities.

 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will distribute $300 million in stimulus dollars to 56 towns and counties in New Jersey. The March 3 announcement will result in more jobs, improvements to housing developments, and to some extent, the mitigation of foreclosure activities. However, there is a stipulation that hte new funds may not be used for operational costs.

 

 

 

 

 

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, part of ARRA, enables local government to undertake a wide range of activities intended to create economic opportunities, crate suitable living environments, and provide decent affordable housing.

According to HUD, CDBG funds may be used for activities which include, but are not limited to:

  • rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures;
  • construction of public facilities and improvements, such as water and sewer facilities, streets, neighborhood ceners, and the conversion of school buildings for eligible purposes;
  • public services;
  • activities relating to energy conservation and renewable energy resources; and
  • economic development and job creation/retention activities.

Jersey City Housing Authority Executive Director Maria Maio expects her agency to receive $7.8 billion in new federal stimulus funding which makes her very happy since doing so likely means avoiding layoffs among other benefits. However, she fully understands that the money can only be used for modernization or development; it cannot be used for ongoing operations. Jersey City is also slated to et about $2.7 million for homelessness prevention and $1.7 million for community development.

Ohio
3/23/09 - Ohio realtors are being bombarded by prospective first time home buyers looking to take advantage of the $8000 tax credit provided for under the ARRA stimulus package, according to Local12.com.

Oklahoma
4/22/09 - Buisnesses that provide building materials and weatherize homes, as well as about 7,000 homeowners eligible for assistance under the Weatherization Assistance Program, are benefiting from ARRA funds, according to a Tulsa World report.

4/13/09 - According to the USDA, Oklahoma will receive $126,573,175 in funding for the Rural Development Recovery Act Funding Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program.

 

4/2/09 - According to a report from Tulsa World, Oklahoma will be receiving $126 million in housing loans in rural communities. These loans are part of a USDA program aimed at providing those in rural areas with financing for new or improved housing.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has allocated nearly 75 percent of its stimulus funding, with Oklahoma slated to receive $119,410,877.

Rhode Island
6/4/09 - According to the Providence Journal, Rhode Island is one of just five states awarded competitive federal stimulus funds to expanding housing opportunities in the states. The state house agency will receive nearly $37 million to support building, buying and rehabilitating housing for low-income families and individuals. Jobs in the construction industry should be created.

 

West Virginia
4/30/09 - Housing programs under ARRA will include:

·         Community Development Block Grant

·         Public Housing Capital Fund

·         Tax Credit Assistance Program

·         Project-Based Rental Assistance

·         Homelessness Prevention Fund

 

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin
Rep. Steve Kagen, who represents Wisconsin’s eighth Congressional district, has announced that the first round of funding for his district from the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been allocated. The pot of money for Kagen’s northeast Wisconsin district includes more than $300,000 each for the local housing authorities in Appleton and Green Bay, according to Kagen's office. The funds are supposed to be used for the development, financing and modernization of public housing. In addition, the city of Appleton will receive $161,702 in community development funds, while Green Bay will get $267,161.

"Through these grants we are making an investment in our future and creating jobs right now. It is a great first step toward builindg a better nation for all of us, and I am working hard to make sure our economic recovery continues," he explained.

Cities receving Public Housing Capital Funds, Community Development Block Grants and tribes receiving Native American Housing Block Grants

The City of Milwaukee will get $22.6 million from the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help with jobs, housing and public works projects, Mayor Tom Barrett announced Wednesday. Barrett said the Department of Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday notified the city that it will receive:

  • $10.3 million to help the Housing Authority rehabilitate and modernize public housing.
  • $6.9 million to help homeless families and help prevent homelessness.
  • $4.5 million in community development block grant funds to help poor communities and create jobs.
  • $874,085 for lead-paint reduction and remediation.
District of Columbia
The District of Columbia has received $94.5 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The money will be used as follows:
  • $49 million to invest in funding for Section 8 project-based housing contracts.
  • $27 million for improvements to public housing.
  • $11.6 million to help Low Income Housing Tax Credit properties.
  •  $7.5 million in Homeless Prevention Funds.
  • $4.9 million to help create and preserve affordable homes.
  • $2.6 million for the Lead Safe Washington Program, to help reduce and remove lead paint hazards.

Puerto Rico
3-13-09 - Puerto Rico is expected to receive $263 million for public housing needs.