Pascrell, Gottheimer Announce $849K Housing and Urban Development Grant to Passaic County

PATERSON, NJ – Today, U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $849,041 to Passaic County through the Office of Community Planning and Development. Made possible under HUD’s Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program, the funding will be used primarily to enhance Passaic County’s rehousing programs to strengthen economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents.

“With the help of this federal investment, underserved Passaic County residents will have more of the resources they need to find sufficient housing for themselves and their families,” said Rep. Pascrell. “These funds will help our communities flourish by assisting some of our most vulnerable neighbors. While too often housing shortages fall by the political wayside, providing safe, clean, and efficient housing for our residents is always my focus. In the Congress, I will continue to fight for every federal dollar available that goes towards growing our communities and expanding opportunities.”

“This community development grant is a win for Passaic County communities, as we work tirelessly to claw back tax dollars from Washington to New Jersey,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “CDBG grants support critical infrastructure and housing projects that our families and businesses count on. I’m proud that, working with local officials, we shifted more resources away from Moocher States to Jersey. The Fifth District has already clawed back from the federal government $290 per household, a 16% increase, over recent years. The more we can encourage our mayors, council, and first responders to apply for and win these grants, the more our return will increase, making living in New Jersey more affordable for families and businesses.”

“The funds from HUD’s Community Development Block Grant will provide significant and long-lasting benefits for families in Passaic County,” said Passaic County Freeholder Director Sandi Lazzara. “My colleagues on the Board of Chosen Freeholders and our Congressional Representatives know the value these resources have for our community, and we will continue to aggressively pursue funding and resources for our constituents.”

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. This past week, Pascrell announced the awarding of four HUD grants totaling $5.4 million to Paterson to help provide housing to moderate- and low-income residents, give aid to the city’s homeless population, and fashion assistance to those infected with HIV and AIDS and their families. In March, Pascrell and Gottheimer signed on to a request to House Appropriations Committee members for FY19 to fund CDBG at $3.3 billion.

Background on Grant

The Community Development Block (CDBG) 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.

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