Elizabeth City, N.C. – Congressman G. K. Butterfield today announced an $800,000 federal grant that will be used to help address area housing issues.

The U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $800,000 to the Community Development Program (CDP) at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU). The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) grant will be used to rehabilitate 30 owner-occupied homes; provide housing counseling and financial literacy for 300 area residents; assist 50 first-time homebuyers with up to $3,000 to help with down payments and closing costs; and, provide funding for the computer learning center at Harrington Village that serves about 120 adults and 300 children.

Butterfield explained substandard homes occupied by elderly, disabled and low-income residents will have priority for home rehabilitation, and that the primary emphasis will be on bringing those homes up to code and to make them more energy efficient. He also said the computer learning center was particularly important because it provides a needed opportunity for adults to improve computer literacy and job readiness skill, and for students to achieve greater academic success.

“All of these important projects are directly aimed at ensuring that low- and moderate-income families have access to decent, safe and affordable housing,” Butterfield said.

CDP counsels homeowners facing mortgage delinquency and default as well as provides referrals and information on various housing resources in Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan, Camden, Currituck and Gates counties. As a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, the CDP also helps low-and moderate-income renters obtain adequate rental housing and qualify for homeownership. CDP also offers community outreach services aimed at increasing awareness of and compliance with fair housing laws.

The HBCU grant program is designed to assist HBCUs expand their role and effectiveness in addressing community development needs in their localities. These needs include neighborhood revitalization, housing, and economic development, principally for persons of low- and moderate-incomes.