Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn. – 3) announced that because of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Connecticut will receive $3.9 million through the Community Development Block Grant Program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to undertake a wide range of activities intended to create suitable living environments, provide affordable housing and create economic opportunities.

“Not only are these funds under the Community Development Block Grants important to the ability of our towns to meet housing needs, they also expand economic development – critical as we work to rebuild our economy,” said DeLauro. “With this funding communities will be able to improve the quality of life for countless residents by helping the homeless get off the street, aiding low-income families with suitable housing, and assisting those in most need of assistance – seniors and the disabled.”

The following communities in Connecticut will receive funding through the Community Development Block Grant:

· Bristol – $163,138

· Danbury – $168,222

· East Hartford – $172,507

· Fairfield – $144,535

· Greenwich – $251,004

· Hamden – $141,441

· Milford – $141,302

· New Haven – $990,070

· New London – $239,666

· Norwalk – $253,689

· Norwich – $269,000

· Stratford – $182,509

· Waterbury – $608,548

· West Haven – $194,409

As grant recipients’ spending plans are approved, HUD is officially making funding available to spend. Under the Recovery Act, recipients give priority to prudent responsible that can award contracts through a bidding process within 120 days of the grant agreement. The remaining 25 percent of HUD Recovery Act funds will be awarded through a competitive process in the coming weeks and months.

Since 1974, CDBG has provided more than $127 billion to state and local governments to target their own community development priorities. The rehabilitation of affordable housing and the construction and improvement of public facilities have traditionally been the largest uses of CDBG funds although the program is also an important catalyst for job growth and business opportunities. Annual CDBG funds are distributed to communities according to statutory formulas based on population, poverty, pre-1940 housing stock, growth lag, and housing overcrowding.