BOSTON – Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown, along with Representatives Edward Markey, Jim McGovern, John Tierney, Stephen F. Lynch, and Niki Tsongas announced that 18 Massachusetts cities and towns will receive more than $63.4 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support economic development projects, increase affordable housing opportunities, improve area homeless shelters, and expand support services for low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
The funding was awarded through a number of HUD grant programs including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Initiative, the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Initiative, the HOME Initiative, and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Initiative.
“This investment means jobs and housing in Massachusetts and that’s a huge deal in a fragile economy,” said Sen. Kerry. “I applaud Secretary Donovan for his efforts in helping to make this happen.”
“Investing in our cities and towns is an important part of assuring that businesses both large and small have the opportunities they need to thrive,” said Sen. Brown. “These funds will have a positive impact on the residents and businesses in these communities and I am pleased Massachusetts received them.”
“With income disparity at risk of growing due to ill advised Tea Party-backed budget cuts, I wholeheartedly welcome this announcement of housing assistance for the Framingham and Medford communities,” said Rep. Markey. “This Community Development Block Grant funding will enhance our efforts to provide dignity, promote economic opportunity and protect the domestic security of some of the most vulnerable in Massachusetts.”
“These funds are critical in helping communities like Worcester,” said Rep. McGovern. “The federal government must continue to be a partner in efforts to create economic development and help the most vulnerable of our citizens.”
“As the availability of many federal grants face decline nationwide, today’s announcement is welcome news for residents in Gloucester, Lynn, Peabody, and Salem,” said Rep. Tierney. “I continue to support the efforts made by our cities to strengthen our local communities and these federal grants will provide critical investments that benefit our families, small business owners, seniors and students.”
“With public housing continuing to face significant funding challenges, I am pleased to see that Boston and Brockton will receive these HUD grants,” said Rep. Lynch. “With local budgets slashed, this funding will make a real difference and help improve the quality of life for families throughout Massachusetts.”
"In previous years, Lawrence and Haverhill have used Community Development Block Grants for critical projects such as development of the Spicket River Greenway, construction of the downtown Haverhill garage and many others that promote economic development and job creation,” said Rep. Tsongas. “The federal funding being allocated today can be used for similar purposes and enables the federal government to works as a partner with our local communities and invest in the health of our cities.”
The following cities have received CDBG funding:
Barnstable
$318,609.00
Boston
$17,496,605.00
Brockton
$1,385, 917.00
Brookline
$1, 469, 407.00
Cambridge
$2,797, 332.00
Framingham
$483,568.00
Gloucester
$726,151.00
Haverhill
$957,702.00
Lawrence
$1,583,448.00
Leominster
$463,574.00
Lynn
$2,300,639.00
Medford
$1,589, 073.00
New Bedford
$2,741,178.00
Peabody
$419, 664.00
Plymouth
$358,152.00
Quincy
$1,893,136.00
Salem
$1,042,096.00
Worcester
$4,141,185.00
The following cities have received ESG funding:
Boston
$861,837.00
Cambridge
$137,256.00
Lynn
$111,670.00
New Bedford
$132,159.00
Quincy
$90,686.00
Worcester
$200,425.00
The following cities have received HOME funding:
Boston
$7,530,644.00
Brockton
$738,433.00
Cambridge
$1,020, 054.00
Lawrence
$984,775.00
Lynn
$959,661.00
New Bedford
$1,172,388.00
Peabody
$2,091,371.00
Quincy
$872,799.00
Worcester
$1,762,033.00
The following cities have received HOPWA funding:
Boston
$1,884,046.00
Lynn
$355,907.00
Worcester
$401,707.00
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