Congresswoman Richardson Announces $14.9 Million in Housing and Urban Development Grants for Long Beach

WASHINGTON, DC – September 24, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, Congresswoman Laura Richardson announced that Long Beach has been awarded $14.9 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These grants were awarded through three different HUD programs targeted at providing decent housing and living environments for low- and moderate-income persons.

“These grants will serve to raise the standard of living for many of those who have been most affected by the recent economic recession,” Congresswoman Richardson said. “With Long Beach’s unemployment rate at a still high 14.2 percent and a foreclosure rate in the city of 1 out of every 262 homes, it is vital for the livelihood of our neighborhoods and the people who call them home that affordable and livable housing is available.”

The three grants being awarded to Long Beach include:

· A Community Development Block Grant for $9.4 million, which will be used by the city to provide decent housing and to expand economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents in the District.
· A HOME program grant for $5.2 million, which Long Beach will use to expand its supply of decent, affordable housing to low- and very low-income residents.
· An Emergency Shelter Grants award for $380,000, which is for improving the quality and number of emergency homeless shelters by providing annual grants to state, local and private entities.

“These grants will help the city in keeping our neighborhoods healthy and happy by both providing suitable housing and expanding economic opportunities,” Congresswoman Richardson added. “Our neighborhoods need great programs like these to keep us moving forward and to make sure no one is falling between the cracks in our still struggling economy. I am pleased Long Beach and 37th District are able to benefit from them.”

Congresswoman Richardson is a Democrat from California’s 37th Congressional District. She is a member of the House Committees on Transportation & Infrastructure and Homeland Security. Her district includes Long Beach, Compton, Carson, Watts, Willowbrook and Signal Hill. She is chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness.

Contact:
Jeff Billington
Office: (202) 225-7924
Cell: (202) 340-3791