Warner, Kaine Announce Nearly $7 Million In HUD Funding To Increase Access To Fair Housing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced that seven Virginia localities and organizations will receive nearly $7 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding will help local governments fight housing discrimination, improve economic conditions and increase access to affordable housing.
“These funds will strengthen Virginia communities and improve the quality of life for residents,” said Warner. “These are investments in our local neighborhoods that will expand economic opportunity now and in the future.”
“Throughout my years in public service and as a lawyer fighting housing discrimination, I’ve seen the tremendous benefits equal access to housing and home ownership can have in our communities,” said Kaine. “By ensuring the supply of affordable housing, helping build strong, prosperous communities and educating citizens on their rights, these grants will make a positive impact on the lives of families in Virginia.”
The following Virginia communities and entities will receive funding from HUD’s Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program, HOME program, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program and Fair Housing Initiatives Program:
- Bristol will receive $228,418 from the CDBG program;
- Chesapeake will receive $1,019,917 from the CDBG and $361,113 from the HOME program;
- Lynchburg will receive $686,040 from CDBG and $305,985 from the HOME program;
- Hampton will receive $1,221,322 from CDBG and $350,782 from the HOME program;
- Henrico County will receive $1,575,820 from CDBG, $139,425 from ESG and $599,842 from the HOME program;
- Waynesboro City will receive $178,688 from the CDBG program;
- Richmond’s Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia will receive $325,000 through the Fair Housing Initiatives Program’s grant competition.
The CDBG program provides grants to state and local governments 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 state and local governments to fund housing programs that meet local needs and priorities. The ESG program provides funding to engage homeless individuals and families and provide resources for their well-being including emergency shelters, essential services to shelter residents and rapid re-housing. The Fair Housing Initiatives Program is a grant competition to carry out enforcement activities to prevent or eliminate discriminatory housing practices and inform individuals of their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.
Before serving in federal, state and local government, Kaine worked as a fair housing lawyer from 1984 to 2001. During that time, his cases were focused on implementing provisions of the Fair Housing Act throughout Virginia.
###