WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded more than $2,773,730 in grants to the City of Portland for investment in low-income housing projects.

“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 in a joint statement. “By expanding housing opportunities and bolstering the facilities and services in emergency shelters, this funding will help our more vulnerable families and individuals maintain a stable home and focus on a path forward."

The total $2,773,730 in funding was awarded through three grant programs as follows:

• $1,791,064 – 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.
• $161,834– 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.
• $820,832 – 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.

###