Gloucester County To See $1.9M From Feds To Fight Pandemic

GLOUCESTER COUNTY, NJ — Gloucester County will see more money from the federal government to help residents as they struggle through the coronavirus pandemic.

The county will receive $1,953,211 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), federal officials announced on Monday. This includes a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) worth $1,358,948; and a HOME grant worth $594,263.

It is part of $5.5 billion the federal agency has set aside for local programs throughout the country that provide affordable housing, community development and economic opportunity, and support to those who are experiencing homelessness, officials said.

In New Jersey, $147,874,036 was awarded. View a complete list of all the communities who received funding.

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“These core programs provide our local partners the funding they need to provide homes and vital services to some of our neighbors in need,” Acting HUD Secretary Matt Ammon said.

“This funding comes at a critical time for our country, when these bedrock programs have never been more important,” said James Arthur Jemison, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development.

“The funding announced today will provide over $147 Million in much-needed Community Planning and Development funding to communities throughout the Garden State,” HUD Newark Field Office Director Justin Scheid said. “Cities, counties, and communities across New Jersey will be able to use this vital funding to develop viable communities by creating and retaining jobs and providing housing, services, and supports to those who need it most.”

The county will share in $3.4 billion worth of CDBG grants, which are distributed nationwide to states, cities, and counties to develop viable urban communities to provide decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons, officials said.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) provides funding to states and localities that communities use - often in partnership with local nonprofit groups - to fund a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people. HUD distributed $1.3 billion in these grants nationally.

HUD also distributed nationwide grants in the following categories:

• $387 million — The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) grants provides rental housing assistance for persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
• $290 million — Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) provides funds for homeless shelters, assists in the operation of local shelters and funds related social service and homeless prevention programs.
• $25 Million—The Recovery Housing Program (RHP) allows states and the District of Columbia to provide stable, transitional housing for individuals in recovery from a substance-use disorder.

The descriptions of all the grants and the way they can be used were provided by HUD.