WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, and Angus King today announced that the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded three grants totaling $15,096,999 to the State of Maine to support the development of low-income housing, strengthen services in emergency shelters, and foster growth in Maine’s urban communities.

“Investment in low-income housing plays a critical role in helping put a roof over the heads of thousands of people in Maine every year,” said Senators Collins and King. “By expanding housing opportunities and bolstering the facilities and services in emergency shelters, this funding will help our more vulnerable families and individuals to maintain a stable home and focus on a path forward.

The total $15,096,999 in funding was awarded through three grant programs as follows:

• $10,765,432 – Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): Provides annual grants to states and local governments to develop decent, viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities mainly for people with low and moderate-income.

• $1,329,400 – Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG): Provides funding to engage homeless individuals and families living on the street; improve the number, quality and operations of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families; provide essential services to shelter residents, rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families, and prevent them from becoming homeless.

• $3,002,167 – HOME Program: Helps to expand decent, affordable housing options for low and very low-income families through grants to states and local governments that fund housing programs in order to meet local needs and priorities.

###