Senator Collins Announces Nearly $25 Million for Affordable Housing and Economic Development in Maine
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a total of $24,757,656 to support affordable housing throughout the State of Maine.
“This important funding supports Maine’s efforts to help connect our state’s most vulnerable citizens with additional resources and promote their health, independence, and overall wellbeing,” said Senator Collins. “As Chairman of the Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to work to ensure that the needs of low-income individuals and families are met.”
The funding was awarded through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program, and HOME program and will be allocated as follows:
- Auburn will receive $544,099 through the CDBG program and $442,773 through the HOME program;
- Bangor will receive $837,680 through the CDBG program;
- Biddeford will receive $467,761 through the CDBG program;
- Lewiston will receive $887,262 through the CDBG program;
- Portland will receive $1,893,566 through the CDBG program, $1,020,693 through the HOME program, and $160,873 through the ESG program;
- Cumberland County will receive $1,523,331 through the CDBG program; and
- The State of Maine will receive a total of $11,566,645 through the CDBG program, $4,060,519 through the HOME program, and $1,352,454 through the ESG program to distribute to cities with populations of less than 50,000 and counties with populations of less than 200,000.
The CDBG program provides annual grants to states and local units of government 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 ESG program provides annual grants to state, local, and private entities to assist people in quickly regaining stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness. In addition to rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention, the ESG program also provides limited funding for street outreach as well as for improving the quality and number of emergency homeless shelters.
The HOME program helps to expand the supply of safe, affordable housing to low- and very low-income families by providing grants to states and local governments to fund housing programs that meet local needs and priorities.
