Congressman Mike Michaud announced on May 12, 2012 that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded the State of Maine $10,581,799 under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and $3,430,081 under the HOME Program.

“The Community Development Block Grant and HOME programs provide key investments that grow our communities, increase affordable housing options, and create new opportunities for economic growth,” said Michaud.

Over the past two decades these types of grants have significantly improved downtown communities across the state by renovations in buildings, street lights, and sidewalks. Maine’s quality of life has improved as more people are properly housed and more people visit downtown to shop and recreate in pleasant historic surroundings. Because Governor Paul LePage has stopped the allocation of bonds, already approved from the voters, these Community Block and Housing grants have become even more important as they may fill the gap in funding some communities were expecting.

Congressman Michaud has a voting record of always supporting these grants and recommending them.

“I have been proud to support these programs that have a proven record of helping to address many of the difficult challenges facing neighborhoods across the state,” said Michaud.

According to HUD, 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 through the expansion of economic opportunities, principally for low and moderate-income individuals. CDBG provides funding to state and local governments to target their own community development priorities.

The HOME Program helps to expand the supply of decent, 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. Congressman Michaud has consistently supported funding for both the CDBG and HOME programs.