The City of Lansing received $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to strengthen area neighborhoods by providing housing and support services for the homeless population.
The $1.5 million includes $500,000 for the Community Development Block Grant program and nearly $900,000 for Emergency Shelter Grants. The funds are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama.
“We plan for what we normally receive, which is around $90,000. So when $900,000 falls in your lap—we never expected that much—we immediately contacted the Department of Human Relations and Community Services, and they’ll continue to administer the funds,” says Bob Johnson, director of Planning and Neighborhood Development for the City of Lansing.
The City of Lansing will use its supplemental Community Development Block Grant award of $587,391 to rehabilitate housing and provide housing-related services.
“We are thrilled that federal stimulus funds are now making their way to Lansing to help us improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods and provide much-needed assistance to homeless individuals and families,” says Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. “Many Lansing citizens have been hard hit by the economic downturn and this money will be put to work quickly helping families in need and improving housing opportunities. People are hurting and this will help the City of Lansing provide even more ‘just-in-time’ assistance.”
Source: Randy Hannan, City of Lansing
Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.
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