Governor Kaine Announces More Than $14 Million in Community Development Block Grant Funding

Approximately 3,790 Virginians will benefit from improved housing, wastewater services, job creation and economic revitalization projects

RICHMOND, VA – July 07, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced $14,134,490 in federal funding for 22 community development projects through the Virginia Community Development Block Grant (VCDBG) program. The grants, which will fund a variety of projects – from housing revitalization to water and sewer infrastructure, to broadband and economic and downtown revitalization – are expected to benefit 3,790 Virginians, of which 2,899 are low-to-moderate income.

“These community improvement projects address a number of critical issues throughout the Commonwealth,” said Governor Kaine. “While a majority of these awards go toward creating safe and affordable housing and water for Virginians, there is also important funding for broadband, and economic and downtown revitalization efforts that will help our communities grow and improve the quality of life for their citizens.”

“We feel these projects will result in significant benefits for the citizens of Virginia,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Patrick Gottschalk. “These grants also provide communities with additional opportunities for future growth.”

Since 1982, the federally-funded VCDBG program has been administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and Virginia receives up to $19million annually for this “small cities” grant program. VCDBG grants are awarded through a competitive process. Most projects benefit low- and moderate-income persons, and many projects are targeted for the prevention or elimination of slums and blighting conditions.

Several projects are noted as either Multi-Year or Letter-of-Intent projects. Multi-year projects are those that will receive a contract allocating funds for one year, and after achieving specific performance targets, will then be eligible for another year of funding. Letter-of-Intent projects are those which will be awarded after the locality meets specific targets.

“Quality of life for Virginians means having a safe, affordable and prosperous community in which to live, work and do business,” said Bill Shelton, DHCD Director. “Creating better communities in which to live is the goal of our agency, and these grants are focused directly on that goal.”