WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to help revitalize local neighborhoods and provide more Rhode Islanders with safe and affordable housing, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that the Rhode Island State Program and Pawtucket will receive over $14 million in federal aid through the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program, the Home Investment Partnership (HOME), and the Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG), bringing Rhode Island's total funding for these programs to over $18.9 million for fiscal year 2009. Reed helped secure these funds in the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which was approved by the U.S. Senate earlier this year.

"This is a flexible source of federal funding that helps create jobs and economic opportunities for local businesses. These funds will help spur economic development, provide affordable housing, and help improve public facilities," said Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee who helped secure this funding.

The Rhode Island State Program will receive $5,229,149 in CDBG funds; $5,489,680 in HOME funds; and $351,914 in ESG funds.

Pawtucket will receive over $2,077,204 million in CDBG funds; $858,871 in HOME funds; and $90,687 in ESG funds.

Earlier this month, Senator Reed announced the following federal grants for Rhode Island:

CDBG
Woonsocket: $1,339,292
Cranston: $1,097,397
Warwick: $932,190
East Providence: $815,000

HOME
Woonsocket: $582,144

ESG
Woonsocket: $58,512

The CDBG program provides local municipalities with a flexible source of federal funding to address a wide range of neighborhood development needs. The money may be used for capital-improvement projects or distributed to non-profit organizations that benefit the community.

The HOME program helps to expand the supply of quality, affordable housing to working families by providing federal grants to state and local governments to fund housing programs.

The ESG program provides annual grants to state and local governments as well as private entities to upgrade and expand emergency homeless shelters.

These programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).