Federal funding through the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program approved by Congress for 2018 was awarded to several towns in New Jersey’s Fourth Congressional District, announced Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04).

   “The Community Development Block Grant is a flexible grant that allows towns to develop housing and community improvement projects that best fits their needs and goals,” said Smith. “I am a longtime supporter of the CDBG program, which can be a shot in the arm for local projects. Congress used this grant, the CDBG Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) to help restore people’s homes and at the Jersey Shore in the wake of Sandy.”

   Each year, CDBG funds are distributed to state and local governments according to their population, poverty, and other housing variables. President Ford signed the law creating the CDBG—one of HUD’s hallmark programs. Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 merged numerous individual competitive grant programs into a block grant, providing local communities the flexibility to decide for themselves how best to meet their individual needs.

   The federal funding comes mainly through two programs: the CDBG program provides annual grants to States and local units of government to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons; The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) helps to expand the supply of decent, affordable housing to low- and very low-income families by providing grants to States and local governments to fund housing programs that meet local needs and priorities. Some local governments also received the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program which provides funding to engage homeless individuals and families. The ESG program aims to improve the number, quality and operations of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families, quickly re-house homeless individuals and families, and prevent families/individuals from becoming homeless.

   In Smith’s district, Hamilton was awarded $595,919 in CDBG funds. Mercer County received $593,390.

   In Monmouth County, Howell Township received $168,261 in CDBG funds and Middletown received $251,171. Monmouth County received $2,450,174 in CDBG funding, plus $1,493,634 in HOME funding and $199,439 in ESG funding.

   In Ocean County, Jackson Township received $179,041 from the CDBG program and Lakewood Township received $1,241,002. Ocean County received $1,139,236 in CDBG and $1,380,873 in HOME funding.

###