Pascrell Announces More Than $2 Million in Housing and Urban Development Grants to City of Passaic

PATERSON, NJ – U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) announced today that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded two federal grants totaling $2,140,628 to the City of Passaic through the Office of Community Planning and Development.  The funding, made possible under HUD’s Community Development Block Grants program and the HOME program, will be used primarily to maintain and improve Passaic’s homeless shelters while enhancing the city’s First Time Home Buyers initiative.

“This federal investment will provide underserved Passaic residents with the help and resources they need to find adequate homes for themselves and their families,” stated Rep. Pascrell. “We all want to see our neighborhoods grow, and these funds will help advance that goal by assisting the most vulnerable among us. In the Congress, I will continue to fight for every federal dollar available that goes towards strengthening our communities and expanding economic opportunities.”

“We all know the importance of affordable housing in cities like Passaic.  I am thankful for the fight that Congressman Pascrell takes to Washington on behalf of our city’s residents and families,” said Passaic Mayor Hector Lora. “Some of these grant funds will be allocated to our city’s homelessness support center Dignity House, for expanding our first time home buyers program, and for the Blue Parks for Inclusive Play that benefit all of our children including special needs kids.”

Since entering office, Rep. Pascrell has worked closely with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to bring critical resources home and make sure New Jersey gets its fair share. Pascrell worked to obtain an $18,000,000 HOPE VI Grant from HUD which was critical to building the Heritage Community Center at Alexander Hamilton, a 271 unit public housing development in Paterson. In 2014, Pascrell helped secure $815,000 in Community Development Block Grants  to promote neighborhood revitalization, housing rehabilitation, and economic development activities. In 2013, Pascrell worked with Sen. Robert Menendez and Reps. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ-10) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06) to obtain $10.9 million to build community housing for AIDS patients, low-income families, and the homeless. In 2012, Pascrell secured a $16 million HUD grant that Passaic County used to help recover from Hurricane Irene. In 2011, Pascrell worked with HUD to provide $500,000 to Paterson and Passaic County to improve homeless services and public housing. Rep. Pascrell has secured numerous grants to house the homeless and homeless veterans while in Congress. And in 2009, Rep. Pascrell worked closely with President Obama’s HUD to secure a nearly $10,000,000 award to support public housing in Passaic County communities.  Rep. Pascrell’s advocacy was critical in securing $425,000 in HUD grants to help resident support services at the Belmont Senior Apartments in Paterson. In his first year in office in 1997, Rep. Pascrell helped secure a $21.6 million HUD grant for the Paterson Housing Authority that was used to revitalize the Christopher Columbus Homes public housing development.

Background on Grants

The Community Development Block Grants program provides annual grants to states and local units of government to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.

The HOME program helps to expand the supply of decent, affordable housing to low- and very low-income families by providing grants to states and local governments to fund housing programs that meet local needs and priorities.

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