WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to help revitalize neighborhoods and provide more Rhode Islanders with access to safe and affordable housing, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that Pawtucket will receive a total of $2,993,128 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

"This funding will help the city of Pawtucket ensure that more working families and seniors have access to quality, affordable housing. The injection of over $2 million of CDBG money offers the city a flexible funding source for a host of economic development and community enhancement activities," stated Reed, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, which oversees federal housing and community development policy.

The funds are provided through three different HUD programs: the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG), and the Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME).

CDBG - $2,103,803

ESG - $90,523

HOME - $798,802

TOTAL: $2,993,128

The CDBG program funds programs that are designed to assist low- and moderate-income residents, including rehabilitating public buildings, providing low-cost loans and increasing services to neighborhood and senior centers.

The HOME program will allocate funding to assist in rehabilitating housing and the production of affordable rental and homeowner housing.

ESG funds will be distributed to public and private organizations for assistance in providing emergency shelters for the homeless.

Reed has been a consistent supporter of these housing assistance programs.

In June, he unveiled bipartisan legislation to provide over $1.8 billion for targeted homelessness assistance grant programs. The Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act of 2007 would increase current levels of funding for homelessness assistance grants by $350 million and allocate $250 in additional funding for homelessness prevention initiatives.

In March, Reed joined Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) in introducing legislation to reauthorize the successful Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere (HOPE VI) grant program. HOPE VI provides federal funding to restore dilapidated public housing units and has helped revitalize distressed neighborhoods across the country.