HUD ANNOUNCES $2.2 BILLION IN GRANTS TO FUND HOUSING PROGRAMS

The Super Notice of Funding Availability (SuperNOFA) issued today notifies communities and groups throughout the nation that grants are available for 29 HUD programs and 41 funding opportunities.

“These grants reflect the continued commitment of this Administration to help American families find decent and affordable housing,” said Secretary Martinez. “We are also encouraging community and faith-based organizations and to extended their reach by partnering with HUD.”

The Secretary informed grant applicants that he expects them to exercise responsibility in exchange for funding. “We are going to insist on accountability. Grant recipients will have to meet program goals and create tangible results that are going to help make families and communities stronger,'' said Martinez.

Martinez said today's announcement also reflects a new commitment to opening up contracting opportunities to small, disadvantaged and women-owned businesses. “They deserve to participate in the contracting opportunities made available through HUD programs -- and we will ensure that they can,'' he said.

Grant applicants need to file their applications through one of four commercial carriers -- DHL, Falcon Carrier, Federal Express (FedEx), United Parcel Service (UPS) or United States Postal Service (USPS). Applicants using the latter should complete a certificate of delivery, USPS form No. 38-17.

Grant funding for one major HUD program, HOPE VI, was not announced in this SuperNOFA, but will be issued later.

A basic goal of the SuperNOFA is to make it easier for applicants to coordinate the use of two or more competitive grant programs. By having information about all HUD competitive grant programs, applicants may gain a better understanding of the multiple resources available to address their needs and opportunities.

The application process also encourages coordination among applicants -- either encouraging two or more organizations to join forces to submit one application to jointly implement funded activities or to submit separate applications for different grants to coordinate the use of grants.

HUD's SuperNOFA Information Center provides all materials and information necessary to prepare their funding requests. The Center may be reached from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, by dialing toll-free 800-HUD-8929 or 800-483-2209 TTY. Application forms and other information, including a list of available grants, will be accessible from the HUD website at http://www.hud.gov.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing minority homeownership, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws.

This eUpdate posting by: Steve Joyce