Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is awarding $278,433,450 in grant money to New York City.

The amounts broken down by program are:

• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) - $149,703,245;
• The HOME program for affordable housing - $60,338,441;
• Emergency Shelter grants - $14,146,420;
• HOPWA grants providing to benefit low-income persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS - $54,245,344.

Rep. Engel said, “This grant money will help our City to improve and expand housing for those who have the greatest need. The block grants will help the City by providing decent housing, and expanding economic opportunities, chiefly for low- and moderate-income persons.

The HOME program will expand the supply of decent, affordable housing to low- and very low-income families. Emergency Shelter grants will help the City to improve the quality and number of emergency homeless shelters.

The HOPWA grants provide housing assistance to low-income people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. New York City is the center of HIV/AIDS in the United States so the need is greatest here.

Rep. Engel said, “This assistance is going to those most in need and with the least resources. In these difficult economic times, we should do all we can to help those who require this aid the most.”

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