Fifteen homeless veterans in Dakota will finally get the case management and permanent housing they need.  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Eric K. Shinseki had announced the approval of $64,122 worth of grants to be provided to a local public housing agency in North Dakota.

The funds will be provided through HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) that will be providing the vouchers to be given out by the public housing agency.

The chosen public housing agency is the Burleigh County Housing Authority with which the VA Medical Center will be Fargo VAMC/Bismarck CBOC.  They will be able to give out 15 vouchers this early on.

The Obama Administration’s Campaign to Ending Homelessness

As HUD Secretary Shinseki once said, “It’s a national disgrace that one out of every six men and women in our shelters once wore a uniform to serve our country. But we know that by providing housing assistance and case management services, we can significantly reduce the number of veterans living on our streets.  Working together, HUD, VA, and local housing agencies are making real progress toward ending veteran homelessness once and for all.”

There has already been significant progress since the first efforts of the Obama Administration in response to the increasing veteran homelessness throughout the country.  But still, more work needs to be done in honoring what the veterans have done for the country.  It is payback time for the government to do the same for these veterans who are now in need of help.

As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to ending Veteran and long-term chronic homelessness by 2015, funding will be provided annually to chosen local housing agencies nationwide.

About $75 million is allotted for the Fiscal Year 2012 to be used to support all the housing necessities of approximately 10,500 homeless veterans nationwide.  This will include funding for home improvement grants for veterans, senior housing grants, and housing grants disabled veterans.  This is said to be just the first leg of funding and another leg will be given later still through the HUD-VASH funding.

In addition, a program was also created to serve as a roadmap for the federal government on how they will be working with state and local agreements on confronting the root causes of the persisting problem of not just veteran homelessness but chronic homeless throughout the country.  This program is called “Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness”.

As a result from all the first efforts, Rocky Mountain Region Administrator Rick Garcia said that they have already seen reduction in the number of homeless veterans in the Rocky Mountain Region.

The Important Role of VA Medical Centers

VAMCs will be the ones closely working with the veterans in need.  They are the ones responsible for referring each veteran to the public housing agency with available vouchers as they deem necessary and appropriate.

They will be determining a variety factors including the duration of homelessness and should there be a need for longer term more intensive support in order to obtain and maintain a permanent housing.

The spotlight today is on the homeless veterans across the country.  The government had finally realized the importance to give back to these veterans that once wore the uniform in serving the country.  U.S. Housing and Urban Department Secretary Shaun Donovan believes that by providing case management services and housing assistance, the number of veterans living on the streets will be significantly reduced.

As from what HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Mary McBride, “After serving our country, veterans should not end up on the streets, homeless.  They have given us a great deal.  Helping them obtain decent, affordable housing is the right thing to do in return for their service.”

Significant progress have already been made under the Obama Administration giving out more Oregon housing grants, as well as, more veteran housing grants from different states but still, more work remains as has been said by VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki.  The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs will continuously work together with HUD and various local housing agencies to make real progress toward ending veteran homelessness.  The government aims to put an end to this by year 2015.

Veteran Housing Grants to be Distributed in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

HUD Secretary Donovan and VA Secretary Shinseki have announced that they will be providing VA case managements and HUD rental vouchers to benefit 610 homeless veterans across four states namely 50 in Alaska, 50 in Idaho, 185 in Oregon, and 325 in Washington State.

The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) will be the program responsible for the distribution of vouchers including veteran housing grants and low income housing grants pass Oregon and other states to different housing authorities.  There are about 2,283 vouchers awarded through this program since 2008 to various housing authorities in the Northwest area.  These vouchers have provided affordable housing to many veterans.

For this Fiscal Year 2012, there is about $3,770,409 worth of funding to support the 610 additional vouchers.  Chosen housing authorities among Alaska, Anchorage, Bend, Boise, Clackahamas County, Coeur d’Alene, Eugene, Port Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Yakima and Clackamas, Jackson, King, Pierce, Skagit, and Snohomish counties will receive these housing vouchers.

A Summary of Previous Vouchers and Low Income Housing Grants Pass Oregon and other States

As part of the Obama Administration continuous efforts in ending Veteran and long-term chronic homelessness throughout the whole country, they have created a roadmap as a guide.  This roadmap is called “Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness” that will serve as a guide on how the government will work to determine the root cause and solve homelessness especially among former servicemen and women.

Here is a quick summary of the previous vouchers given to each state:

• Alaska – 145 vouchers
• Idaho – 115 VASH vouchers
• Oregon – 743 VASH vouchers
• Washington – 1,280 vouchers

Puerto Rico is an incorporated territory of the United States.  It is not considered a state of the American Union but U.S. federal laws are applicable to them.  For this reason, they are eligible for all the benefits being given by the U.S. government.

In part of the government’s continuous efforts in improving the housing sector, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had recently announced they are granting $73,000 worth of housing counseling grants to Puerto Rico.

The funding will be divided into four housing organizations in Puerto Rico that will give the low-income families a better chance of having their own homes or keep their homes from foreclosure through grants for home buyers and housing counseling grants.

HUD is said to be giving out around $29 million to national, regional, and multi-state counseling agencies.  From what HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan had recently stated:

“The HUD-approved counseling agencies funding supports are crucial in helping struggling families on a one-to-one basis to manage their money, navigate the home-buying process, and secure their financial futures.  We fought hard to persuade Congress to restore funding for housing counseling in HUD’s budget and now we’re working to make these important resources available as quickly as possible.”

What are Housing Counseling Grants and Grants for Housing Assistance?

Housing counseling grants, grants for home buyers, and grants for housing assistance are all created to assist families in purchasing their own home and guide them as to how they are supposed to keep it.

These grants also provide assistance to both home renters and the homeless.  Financial literacy training is also being taught through this grant program that helps low to moderate income individuals and families manage their funds more efficiently.

Financial literacy training could be the most important thing in housing counseling and housing assistance.  This enables home buyers and renters understand all the complex words involved so that negligence could be avoided.

Negligence is almost always the reason for mortgage scams and foreclosures.  This is due to the reason that most home buyers do not always understand the whole rental or home buying process.

Funds for Housing Counseling Grants

According to HUD Secretary Donovan, “These funds are complemented by the roughly $2.5 billion provided to the states as part of the $25 billion mortgage servicing settlement.  Most states can use these funds for foreclosure prevention activities such as housing counseling and legal aid services.”

HUD is also awarding $2 million to three national organizations to effectively train more housing counselors to help families with their housing needs throughout the country.  This is said to be in addition to $36 million worth of grant funds that will directly go to housing counseling grants in 27 national and regional organizations, 6 multi-state organizations, 16 State Housing Finance Agencies, and 419 local housing counseling agencies.

There will be an additional $4 million worth of funds allotted for the purpose of helping senior citizens seek reverse mortgages should they wish to.  This will be through HUD’s program called Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) where the main concern is to help the elderly convert equity in their homes to income that they can use for their more necessary needs like medical costs and other living expenses.

However, how to apply for housing grants and housing counseling grants is a separate and quite selective process depending on the funds available and the status of the application as determined by the respective organization assigned.

How to Apply for Housing Grants and Housing Counseling Grants

The four local organizations in Puerto Rico that will receive the funding are:

• Corporación Desarrollo Económico, Vivienda y Salud from Arecibo – $19,732
• Corporación Milagros de Amor from Caguas – $16,183
• Ceiba Housing and Economic Development – $20,324
• One Stop Center from Río Piedras – $16,775

Applying for these grants is quite a highly competitive process.  HUD determines the eligible organizations and they are monitored every now and then to ensure good work and maintain their approval status.  The organizations then will determine the persons who are eligible for the available grants depending on facts and figures they are able to get.

Just recently, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rocky Mountain Regional Administrator Rick Garcia announced the promotion of Lyle Konkol as the new HUD Field Office Director for the area of Casper, Wyoming.

Lyle Konkol will be responsible for making sure the residents of Casper, Wyoming receives enough programs and services like government grants for housing from HUD and evaluate each program’s efficiency.

Get to Know Lyle Konkol and Government Grants for Housing

Lyle Konkol previously served as the HUD Senior Management Analyst of the Helena Field Office.  He had dedicated his 30 years of being in the service to the creation and implementation of various housing opportunities across the Montana region including the Indian Reservation communities.  He made it possible for many gov housing grants to be available to Montana residents.

For this great dedication to helping the people of Montana, Mr. Konkol received a National Secretary’s Award.  This award was made possible by the amazing work he was able to accomplish through various partnerships with Indian country as the winning theme was “Creating Housing Opportunities for Underserved Populations”.

The housing opportunities included government grants for housing that were made available especially for low to moderate income individuals and families including those in the Indian communities.

How to Get Housing Grants in Wyoming

In addition to all the work he had put in the housing sector of Montana, he had also served for the Montana Disaster and Emergency Services as a liaison for emergency services and disasters.  In his many years of service, he also had the opportunity to work with several government officials and offices of both state and local government.

In year 2000, he was also fortunate to have worked with the city of Casper where he served as HUD’s Community Planning and Development Representative.  Through this, he was able to facilitate the city’s Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) where he was responsible in addressing the community development needs and guide the residents on how to get housing grants.

Through the years, Lyle Konkol had made himself successfully known in the local public housing sector of Montana in awarding various government grants for housing making him perfect for the said promotion.

As HUD Rocky Mountain Regional Administrator Garcia had said:

“I have worked closely with Lyle on housing, community development, and regional sustainability issues throughout the region, and I am excited to appoint him to this position.  Lyle brings leadership, experience, and expertise and will be an indispensable resource to the people and communities of Wyoming.”

Quick Reminders on Government Grants for Housing

HUD is currently organized in 10 regions nationwide where each region is being managed by a Regional Administrator.  Every region, however, has various field offices where each office is headed by a Field Office Director.

The City of Casper has many affordable housing programs available for the low to moderate income individuals and families.  To get qualified, one can inquire directly to the Casper Field Office where they can be assessed and referred to the right housing authority based on their needs and necessities.

Casper Field Office          Lyle Konkol

150 East B Street              Field Office Director

Room 1010

Casper, WY 82601-1969

(307) 261-6250

The City of Winchester is home to the former Bushrod Taylor Hotel, which made its way to the list of National Registry of Historic Places.  However, this hotel had suffered a catastrophic collapsed in 2007 making it the most publicized spot blight abatement effort since it was built in the City of Winchester.

Blighted properties are really nothing new in the country’s economy today.  But given that this property is a noted historical place, the City of Winchester applied for a loan through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 108 Loan Guarantee Assistance Program to save the property.

Just recently, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announced that he is approving the requested loan of the City of Winchester to aid in the planned renovation of the former Bushrod Taylor Hotel.

Housing Urban Development Grants in Winchester

In a goal to save the former Bushrod Taylor Hotel, the City of Winchester made use of HUD’s loan grant assistance program to raise more money for the hotel’s rehabilitation.  Lucky for the city, HUD saw this as a great opportunity and granted them $1 million guarantee loan that could serve as a housing urban development grant.

This approved loan under the housing urban development grants will be used along with the funds that had been raised earlier by the city to fully acquire the said property similar to non-profit housing grants.  Once fully acquired, the renovation will soon take place with the much-needed structure stabilization, carryout rehabilitation for safety and health, and in the end develop an onsite public pocket park.

The park will be surrounded by existing buildings on the three sides, where it will look like a pocket park against the tall buildings from a bird’s-eye view.

Affordable Housing Grants for Developers

This renovation plan by the City of Winchester will surely generate more jobs for the residents and will give the area’s tourism a definite boost.  This is really a wonderful way of using housing urban development grants and affordable housing grants for developers as they not only serve their purposes but also supports to save a historical place.

As HUD Secretary Donovan had said in his speech, “Today, we take another step in a new vision for this historic site.  The City of Winchester will renovate the former hotel and retain its historic façade, and install five upper floor apartments.  This will generate hundreds of jobs in the process.”

HUD Regional Administrator Jane C. W. Vincent also spoke and said:

“This renovation will include the rehabilitation of the fly tower in the rear of the former hotel that will contain some ground level retail shops.  This project will create jobs for Winchester residents, eliminate blight, expand retail goods, and services and provide a half-acre pocket park that will bring shade and quiet in the Old Town Winchester Historic District.”

Non-Profit Housing Grants – Section 108 Loan Guarantee Assistance Program

Through this program created by HUD, local governments can loan money from private investors at lower interest rates than what would normally be.  However, the purpose should be for economic development, improvement of public facilities, and stimulation of job growth.

Public investments like housing urban development grants, affordable housing grants for developers, and non-profit housing grants are often needed to inspire and stimulate more private investments and contributions.  The funding serves as the local government’s seed money for all the projects lined up and to boost the confidence of private firms to invest more.

The only downside is that Section 108 program is not risk free.  Local governments should pledge both their current and future Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget as the loan security.

Persons living under the dark shadow of HIV/AIDS are generally more at risk for homelessness.  They are usually laid off work due to their condition if not for the fact they are too weak to work full time.

These persons are truly in great need of help from the government especially those who have no more families to run to.  Lucky for HIV/AIDS infected persons living in Vermont, the federal government along with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have finally heeded their call.

Just last March 29, 2012, HUD announced that housing grants will be receiving additional funding mainly to help the extremely low-income persons infected with HIV/AIDS in the state of Vermont.  The housing grants will include housing grants for individuals and housing grants for low-income families.  The additional funding are said to amount to $392,906.

HUD does provide funding annually through their program called “Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program” or HOPWA.

Low-Income HOPWA Grants Housing for Individuals with HIV/AIDS

HOPWA was created by HUD to provide permanent supportive housing including housing grants for individuals and housing grants low-income families to persons with HIV/AIDS throughout the country through various local agencies.  They are the only federal program that is dedicated mainly to help HIV/AIDS infected persons.

This program is to help these homeless or extremely low-income persons manage their health and get access to different supportive services like case management and employment training if deemed necessary.

As HUD New England Regional Administrator Barbara Fields had put it into words:

“These grants offer housing, vital healthcare, and hope to Vermont households that combine to literally save lives.  Having stable housing can make all the difference to the health of someone living with HIV/AIDS who might otherwise be struggling to live on our streets.”

The formula for granting HOPWA funds depend on the number of AIDS cases that are reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The formula grants are, therefore, being managed by 135 local and state jurisdictions that coordinate AIDS housing efforts with other HUD and different community resources from state to state.

These jurisdictions have been awarded an estimate of $300 million worth of formula grants while a total of $332 million is allocated for HOPWA funds.  HUD is hopeful that these funds will assist over 60,000 households in having stable housing and cut down the risks for homelessness especially of those who are infected with the said disease or living with an infected person.

These programs such as housing grants for individuals with HIV/AIDS that will be given are still a part of the Obama Administration’s Program called “Opening Doors” for the goal of preventing and ending homelessness throughout the country once and for all.

Being in the front row of the risk of homelessness, the HIV/AIDS infected persons are offered these grants like grants low-income housing, to help them regain their step in still having a normal life along with innovations in HIV care to increase their job readiness and employment opportunities for those who with stable diseases.

Housing Grants Low-Income Families by the Burlington Housing Authority

HOPWA will award the full amount of the additional funding to The Burlington Housing Authority for them to continue to provide 11 leased units of supportive housing for persons living with the said disease.  There is only one residential facility in Vermont that is dedicated to persons with HIV/AIDS.

The program is in collaboration with the Burlington Community Land Trust, Vermont CARES (Committee on AIDS Resources), and Education Services.  This is to provide more support in terms of case management, substance abuse counseling, medical care, and employment referral.

Grant funds amounting to $3,000,000 will be given by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary for Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration, Jon Grant, to Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price at the city meeting.

This additional funding shall be used mainly to provide more home improvement grants, grants for home repairs, and government grants for housing repairs to protect children and families from lead.

Lead has been a known health hazard and is mostly present in old paint.  Lead grants are usually given to individuals and families living in public low-income housing across the country.  In fact, there already has been around $110,000,000 lead grants awarded nationally.

Fort Worth, however, is the only city who had been awarded these grants among HUD’s five-state Southwest Region that includes Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

Home Improvement Grants for Lead-Based Paint Elimination

Lead-based paint has already been banned for any residential use since the year 1978.  But despite this, HUD estimates there are still about 24 million homes nationwide that poses significant lead-based health hazards.

Lead had caused many health problems especially among children.  Some of these include reduced IQ, delays in development, learning disabilities, hearing impairments, and reduced height.  Lead exposure to adults pose more serious health concerns with kidney and central nervous system problems.

HUD knows how serious this situation is and as HUD Secretary Gant had said:

“Protecting the health and well-being of children is a top priority for HUD.  We know that housing conditions directly affect its residents’ health, and this grant will allow the City and its partners to provide a safer living environment for low-income children and their families.”

The thankful Fort Worth City Mayor Price said:

“Ensuring public safety is the most important thing we do – and that means addressing both the obvious and not so obvious challenges.  The health risks associated with lead-based paint are obvious and important to address.  This grant will help us do that.  It will offer families the peace of mind that their homes are will be free of unseen risks to their health, and we thank HUD for its support, in this important program.”

Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant

There are two home improvement grants in relation to lead and its hazards – the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control (LHC) and Lead Hazard Reduction.  Both programs were made to identify and control the known lead-based paint hazards in both eligible public and private housing communities.

This year, the HUD’s chosen city in the Southwest Region, will use their $3,000,000 in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grants to identify and address more lead hazards in about 200 of their low-income housing units.  This grant can be used accordingly with grants for home repairs to provide more lead-safe homes for families and children alike.

In order for this goal to be achieved, Fort Worth City will be partnering up with several agencies and organizations.  Here is the list of the agencies/organizations that will be part of home improvement grants in Texas:

1. Tarrant County Housing Partnership (TCHP)

3204 Collinsworth

Fort Worth, Texas 76107

(817) 924-5091

2.  United Community Centers, Inc .

1200 E. Maddox Avenue

Fort Worth, Texas 76104

(817) 927-5556

3.  Northside InterChurch Agency

1600 Circle Park Boulevard

Fort Worth, Texas 76104

(817) 626-1102

4.  Cultural Center/ Centro Cultural de Las Americas

1300 Gendy Street

Fort Worth, Texas 76107

(817) 737-2422

Grant funds amounting to $990,219 will be granted to various public housing agencies throughout South Carolina as announced by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki.

The funds will be used to provide case management for the homeless veterans and to give them permanent housing through various grants including South Carolina housing grants, military housing grants, and grants for senior housing.

Military Housing Grants and Grants for Senior Housing

HUD created a program called Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) for the purpose of giving out permanent supportive housing assistance to the nation’s homeless veterans.  This program is being administered across the country through the joint efforts of HUD, VA, and the local housing agencies.

HUD Secretary Donovan knows how important this is for the veterans and the country as he had said:

“It’s a national disgrace that one out of every six men and women in our shelters once wore a uniform to serve our country.  But we know that by providing housing assistance and case management services, we can significantly reduce the number of veterans living on our streets.  Working together, HUD, VA, and local housing agencies are making real progress toward ending veteran homelessness once and for all.”

South Carolina Housing Grants for Veterans

The homeless veterans are entitled to a number of different housing grants from the federal government.  Given the fact that they had once served the country, they are entitled to military housing grants and being considered elderly as they are now veterans, they can also qualify for grants for senior housing in addition to the usual South Carolina housing grants.

The federal government is definitely finding and increasing the ways of how to reach out to these veterans.  Through this additional funding, more grants can be given out to further reduce the number of homeless veterans in South Carolina along with the other U.S. states, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings Jr. remains positive that the U.S. will soon see this travesty end.

Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness

The Obama Administration had made a commitment to end Veteran and long-term chronic homelessness throughout the country.  Staying true to their commitment, they have created this program to serve as their road-map as to how the federal government will be working its way in confronting the root causes of homelessness today.

The government will be working together with the various local housing and community agencies nationwide to honor the U.S. veterans and hopefully eliminate veteran homelessness by year 2015.

There are about $75 million worth of funds for the Fiscal Year 2012 allocated to supporting the various housing needs of approximately 10,500 homeless veterans.  Additional funding is said to be released later.

The VA Medical Centers (VAMC) will be the ones responsible for doing the case management of every homeless veteran and providing them with the supportive services as deemed necessary.   The case management will be based on different factors such as the duration of homelessness and the immediate need for South Carolina housing grants along with the capacity to maintain housing.  They will also be responsible in giving out rental assistance vouchers.

How to Apply for Housing Grants in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an incorporated territory of the United States.  It is not considered a state of the American Union but U.S. federal laws are applicable to them.  For this reason, they are eligible for all the benefits being given by the U.S. government including how to apply for housing grants.

In part of the government’s continuous efforts in improving the housing sector, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had recently announced they are granting $73,000 worth of housing counseling grants to Puerto Rico.

The funding will be divided into four housing organizations in Puerto Rico that will give the low-income families a better chance of having their own homes or keep their homes from foreclosure through grants for home buyers and housing counseling grants.

HUD is said to be giving out around $29 million to national, regional, and multi-state counseling agencies.  From what HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan had recently stated:

“The HUD-approved counseling agencies funding supports are crucial in helping struggling families on a one-to-one basis to manage their money, navigate the homebuying process, and secure their financial futures.  We fought hard to persuade Congress to restore funding for housing counseling in HUD’s budget and now we’re working to make these important resources available as quickly as possible.”

How to Apply for Housing Grants for Home Buyers

Housing counseling grants, grants for home buyers, and grants for housing assistance are all created to assist families in purchasing their own home and guide them as to how they are supposed to keep it.

These grants also provide assistance to both home renters and the homeless on how to apply for housing grants.  Financial literacy training is also being taught through this grant program that helps low to moderate income individuals and families manage their funds more efficiently.

Financial literacy training could be the most important thing in housing counseling and housing assistance.  This enables home buyers and renters understand all the complex words involved so that negligence could be avoided.

Negligence is almost always the reason for mortgage scams and foreclosures.  This is due to the reason that most home buyers do not always understand the whole rental or home buying process.

Funds for Grants for Housing Assistance and Counseling

According to HUD Secretary Donovan:

“These funds are complemented by the roughly $2.5 billion provided to the states as part of the $25 billion mortgage servicing settlement.  Most states can use these funds for foreclosure prevention activities such as housing counseling and legal aid services.”

HUD is also awarding $2 million to three national organizations to effectively train more housing counselors to help families on how to apply for housing grants throughout the country.  This is said to be in addition to $36 million worth of grant funds that will directly go to housing counseling grants in 27 national and regional organizations, 6 multi-state organizations, 16 State Housing Finance Agencies, and 419 local housing counseling agencies.

There will be an additional $4 million worth of funds allotted for the purpose of helping senior citizens seek reverse mortgages should they wish to.  This will be through HUD’s program called Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) where the main concern is to help the elderly convert equity in their homes to income that they can use for their more necessary needs like medical costs and other living expenses.

However, how to apply for housing grants and housing counseling grants is a separate and quite selective process depending on the funds available and the status of the application as determined by the respective organization assigned.

How to Apply for Housing Grants and Housing Counseling Grants

The four local organizations in Puerto Rico that will receive the funding are:

• Corporación Desarrollo Económico, Vivienda y Salud from Arecibo – $19,732
• Corporación Milagros de Amor from Caguas – $16,183
• Ceiba Housing and Economic Development – $20,324
• One Stop Center from Río Piedras – $16,775

Applying for these grants is quite a highly competitive process.  HUD determines the eligible organizations and they are monitored every now and then to ensure good work and maintain their approval status.  The organizations then will determine the persons who are eligible for the available grants depending on facts and figures they are able to get.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan has already announced approval of a $20 million loan guarantee to Philadelphia City.  This loan was made under Section 108 Loan Guarantee Assistance Program.

Philadelphia needs the funding for various projects lined up for the benefit of their community.  This funding is mainly for making economic development activities possible.  A part of the funding will also be used for Pennsylvania housing grants and home buyer grants.

This funding will help the development of a 219,000-square foot shopping center located in the northern neighborhood center of Allegheny West and a community retail shopping center to be built at the site of the former Edison High School.

Understanding Housing Grants Construction and Economic Development

Through the said loan, about $15 million will be leveraged in public funding with $3,000,000 allotted for the proposed project of Baker’s Center anchored by a supermarket in Allegheny West.  About $1,750,000 is for the construction of the Edison Center to replace the former Edison High School, which is already planned for demolition.  This is a proposed 36,188 square foot community retail shopping center that will surely create jobs and opportunities locally.

This said loan for Pennsylvania housing grants was made with the thought of achieving economic development along with the creation of more jobs more specifically to benefit the low to moderate income individuals and families in the state of Pennsylvania.  Housing grants construction and housing development grants will hopefully increase more as the funds leverage more through the lined projects.

As HUD Secretary Donovan sees it:

“Today, we take another step forward in a new vision for these neighborhoods.  The City of Philadelphia will not only cultivate a community of new homes, retail, and green spaces for citizens but will generate hundreds of new jobs in the process.”

Pennsylvania Housing Grants and Housing Development Grants

Section 108 is a loan guarantee provision of the Community Development Block grant (CDBG) by HUD.  Through this program, local authority bodies can borrow money from private investors at a reduced risk rate.  This program is for improvement of public facilities and promotion economic development that will both lead to stimulation of more jobs to benefit the local residents.

The Pennsylvania housing grants program is considered as one of the most potent public investment tools that HUD had created.  They allow local authorities to improve themselves by leveraging whatever funds have been granted to them.  Through this loan, the City of Philadelphia can push through with its plans that are expected to generate about 858 new jobs.  This program though is not risk free as local authorities must pledge all their current and future CDBG allocations as security for the loan.

They are a known source of financing for housing rehabilitation, housing development grants such as Pennsylvania housing grants, housing grants construction, and public facilities rehab.  All these can be included as part of the economic development and will benefit low to moderate income persons and to aid in slum prevention nationwide.

As per HUD Regional Administrator Jane C. W. Vincent:

“This is a win win for the City and all those involved.  These projects will create jobs for Philadelphia residents, leverage private investment, expand retail goods and services in the designated neighborhoods, eliminate blight and increase revenue.”

Oklahoma Housing Grants

Funding amounting to $381,311 is to be provided by the federal government to benefit at least 90 homeless vets in the state of Oklahoma.  U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced that this funding will be released and divided into three public housing agencies in Oklahoma.

This is to be able to do more case management for the homeless veterans and to be able to supply more permanent housing through Section 8 vouchers, Oklahoma housing grants, and military grants for housing.

Through this additional funding, the total number of vouchers in Oklahoma will then be 345 already.  More detailed information regarding the list of cities receiving funding, the housing centers and corresponding VA Centers, new vouchers, total vouchers along with previous ones, and today’s funding will be released at a later date.

Military Grants for Housing thru Oklahoma Housing Grants

This program is administered by HUD, VA, and various local public housing agencies throughout the country.  All the permanent supportive housing that will be released will be provided through this program for the benefit of all the homeless vets across the nation.

The $381,311 worth of Oklahoma housing grants that will be given to the state of Oklahoma is in part of the $72.6 million budget for Fiscal Year 2012 to support housing needs of around 10,000 homeless veterans today.  This funding includes grants for buying a home across the 50 U.S. states along with the District of Columbia.

This military grants for housing program is created in response to the government’s realization of the national disgrace this homelessness of veterans is bringing to the country.  As these people who were once in uniform have served their country, the government together with HUD knows that it is time to give back what these veterans deserve.

Through HUD-VASH, there already has been a significant decrease in the number of veterans living on the streets.  The government hopes to see more progress and aims to end veteran homelessness by 2015.

As VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki had put to words:

“Under the leadership of President Obama, we have made significant progress in the fight to end homelessness among veterans, but more work remains.  The partnership between the federal government and community agencies across the country has strengthened all of our efforts to honor our veterans and keep us on track to prevent and eliminate veteran homelessness by 2015.”

The Government’s Roadmap for Grants for Buying a Home

In addition to HUD-VASH, the Obama Administration had created a program that will serve as their roadmap on how they will be working with state and local agreements in the continuous battle against chronic homelessness.  This program is called “Opening Doors:  Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness”.

The government hopes to determine the root cause of all these homelessness especially with former servicemen and women.

Along with all these government programs, the VA Medical Centers (VAMC) are responsible for doing the case management of each veteran and providing them with supportive services.  They work closely with each eligible veteran to know their needs and capabilities to be able to refer them to the right local public housing agency such as when they need information about Oklahoma housing grants that will be able to help them.

Lead is one of the many known toxins that pose a serious threat to children.  It has the ability of impairing children’s development at a young age with effects that do last up until adulthood.

Lead-based paint is the usual source of lead exposure and was actually banned for industrial use in 1978.  But until today, it is estimated that approximately 24 million homes are still at risk due to lead-based paint hazards. Housing age is the most common and very important predictor of potential lead hazards.

Because of this persistent concern, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding a total of $13,440,000 in grants to protect children and families from the potential dangers of various lead-based paints along with other home health and safety hazards. The grants will include grants for home improvement and home repair grants to eliminate the lead.

Lead Hazard Control and Home Repair Grants

The grant funding will be divided to five local projects in the state of Ohio that will be conducting a wide range of activities to determine and clean up the various health hazards especially lead in about 6,000 high-risk homes throughout the state.

The two home repair grants programs categorized under this are:

1. LBPHC – Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program

This program’s main goal is to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in privately owned housing in public housing communities.

2. LHRD – Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program

This program gives assistance in identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards to high numbers of rental units that were built in 1940 or earlier.

Home Repair Grants in Accordance to Lead Hazard Control Grant Programs

Director of HUD’s Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control Jon Grant have clearly stated that HUD’s priority is to provide healthy and safe homes for families and children.  They firmly believe that a family cannot be healthy if the home is sick.  With this, they have committed to protect these families and children through housing improvement grants.

Here are the various project descriptions in Ohio that will receive home repair grants funding with regards to the given program:

1. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health – Mr. John Sobolewski (216) 201-2000

• $2,300,000 grant program funding for LBPHC.
• $180,000 supplemental funding for 170 healthy housing units.
• They will be partnering up with City of Cleveland.

2. The City of Springfield – Ms. Joan White (937) 328-3932

• $2,300,000 grant program funding for LBPHC.
• $180,000 supplemental funding for 160 healthy housing units.
• They will be partnering up with local health, housing, and community centers.

3. The Lucas County Regional Health District – Mr. Karim Baroudi (419) 213-4109

• $2,300,000 grant program funding for LBPHC.
• $180,000 supplemental funding for 160 healthy housing units.
• They will be partnering up with City of Toledo Department of Neighborhoods, Diocese of Toledo Catholic Charities, United North Development Corporation, Organized Neighbors Yielding Excellence, Neighborhood Health Association, East Toledo Family Center, and Paramount Health System.

4. The City of Akron – Ms. Nancy Cook (330)375-2770

• $3,000,000 grant program funding for LBPHC to address health hazards in 170 public housing units.
• They will be partnering up with East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation Mahoning Valley Real Estate Investors Assoc., Barberton Neighborhood Conservation Services, Nazareth Housing Development Corporation, Rebuilding Together, and Neighborhood Development Services, Inc. of Barberton.

5. The City of Cincinnati – Ms. Aisha Tzillah (513) 352-6123

• $3,000,000 grant program funding for LBPHC to address health hazards in 240 public housing units.
• They will be partnering up with People Working Cooperatively, Cincinnati Housing Partners, Price Hill Will, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing, and Cincinnati Northside Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation.

Through the Obama Administration’s commitment in fighting homelessness throughout the country especially with the veterans who once served their good country, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced that funding will be given to North Carolina, same as with the other U.S. states.

The funding is said to amount to $ 1,209,321 that will be given to various selected public housing agencies throughout North Carolina through HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH).

This will be used to provide case management among the eligible homeless veterans and supply permanent housing through either veterans housing grants or North Carolina housing grants, whichever deemed appropriate by the case managers.

North Carolina Housing Grants for Veterans Housing Program

HUD-VASH is a program created and administered by HUD, VA, and various local housing agencies nationwide.  It also makes use of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance that can be used for grants for veteran housing along with case management help by a duly knowledgeable case manager and clinical services needed through various VA Medical Centers.

HUD-VASH vouchers are usually given based on public housing agency administrative performance along with geographic need as supported by documents.   It is quite a long process as they would have to first determine the areas with the highest number of homeless veterans and then filter the VA facilities near the identified areas.

This North Carolina housing grants program is of great help to all the veterans in dire need of help today.  This is the best that the government can give their once loyal men in uniform who served the country.

Veterans Housing Grants Support from the Government

Another program was created by the Obama Administration to serve as its roadmap or guide through its expected long fight to end veteran and chronic homelessness by 2015.  This program is called “Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.”

Through this new North Carolina housing grants program, the federal government will be working with various state and local agreements for the purpose of knowing the root cause of homelessness nationwide especially among former servicemen and women alike.

As what HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. said:

“These grants are reducing the number of homeless veterans in North Carolina, and one day we will see this travesty end.”

The government and local agencies are hopeful of more wonderful results from their joined forces as studies have shown that national veteran homelessness have already dropped by nearly 12% recently.

In 2011, total of funds amounting to $50 million served approximately 7,000 voucher families.  This fiscal year 2012, there is roughly $75 million allotted to support around 10,500 homeless veterans with all their housing needs through more grants for veterans housing and through the VA Medical Centers as they give case management and supportive services including clinical support.

Along with the government’s ongoing battle to fight veteran homelessness throughout the country, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric K. Shinseki recently announced that almost $6 million will be allotted to provide homeless veterans with public housing in addition to the yearly New York State Housing Grants.

The funds will be divided among 10 public housing agencies in New York who will in turn provide case management and supply permanent housing to about 600 homeless veterans to date.  This will all under be HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH).

New York Housing Grants through HUD-VASH

HUD-VASH was created by HUD, VA, and various local housing agencies nationwide in response to the then increasing problem of veteran homelessness.  This program also combines the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance to be able to give the housing necessities of the veterans.

They are responsible for doing the case management of every single eligible veteran in every state and provide the needed clinical services.  The clinical needs of every veteran are given at the Veterans Medical Centers (VAMCs) located nationwide and some community-based outreach clinics.

This program caters to the 50 U.S., District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.  HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan firmly believes that this program will help the government in making real progress in ending veteran homelessness as he knows how big of a national disgrace this is becoming for the country.

The VA’s Mission and New York State Housing Grants

Unknown by many, the VA is the second-largest cabinet office of the U.S. federal government.  They have been providing housing assistance including housing grants for veterans and healthcare services to millions of people yearly.  The healthcare services include outpatient visits, treatments, and hospitalization.

In year 2012, VA have committed to provide over $1 billion in specialized homeless program funds, about $58 million for disability pay and pensions, $10 billion for educational assistance, $2.6 billion for life insurance, and $1 billion for home loans including New York housing grants.

The VA’s three main priorities today are:

1. To increase veteran access to VA services and benefits.
2. To eliminate the disability claims backlog.
3. To finally put an end to veteran homelessness.

As to what VA Secretary Shinseki said:

“Under the leadership of President Obama, we have made significant progress in the fight to end homelessness among veterans, but more work remains.  The partnership between the federal government and community agencies across the country has strengthened all of our efforts to honor our veterans and keep us on track to prevent and eliminate veteran homelessness by 2015.”

As a result of all these joined forces, the latest estimate have shown that national veterans homelessness have already fallen by 12%.

The Government’s Commitment to Veterans and New York Housing Grants

The government has created a roadmap to help and guide the various programs and organizations to successfully end veteran and long-term chronic homelessness by 2015.

The “Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness” is the program that will serve as a roadmap in confronting the root causes of homelessness to be able to effectively provide a long-term solution.

It has been recently announced by U.S. Housing and Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki that funds amounting to $163,547 will be awarded to the Bernalilo County Housing Department.  This is to be able to provide case management and permanent grants for veterans housing to 25 more homeless veterans throughout the state of New Mexico.

It has also made possible by partnering up with the Raymond G. Murray VAMC.  As a result of this, New Mexico has a total of 265 vouchers for the homeless veterans all in all while the  Bernalilo County Housing Department itself can now administer a total of 50 vouchers.

The funding is said to be given through HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH).  This is a program administered by HUD, VA, and local public housing agencies nationwide that is the one responsible for giving out permanent supportive grants for veterans housing to all the homeless veterans throughout the country today.

Veterans Housing Grants – HUD’s Point of View

As from what HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan had once said, “It’s a national disgrace that one out of every six men and women in our shelters once wore a uniform to serve our country.”

This is truly a depressing scenario.  It is mind boggling to figure out what happened to these veterans as they have no place to live just when they are in their later years of age.  It really is up to the government to take action through grants for veterans housing.  Whatever happened along the way after their service, their good deeds while in service should not be taken for granted.

From this realization, HUD, VA, and various local housing agencies have been working together to provide grants for veteran housing nationwide.  Many programs have been created to benefit veterans in need today like home improvement grants for veterans and veterans housing grants.  These are all in the hope of making real progress in terms of removing veteran homelessness once and for all.

Home Improvement Grants for Veterans –VA’s Point of View

The VA is grateful to the government for all the help and support they have been giving out to fight veteran homelessness with home improvement grants for veterans.  As VA Secretary Shinseki stated:

“Under the leadership of President Obama, we have made significant progress in the fight to end homelessness among veterans, but more work remains.  The partnership between the federal government and community agencies across the country has strengthened all our efforts to honor our veterans and keep us on track to prevent and eliminate veteran homelessness by 2015.”

The Role of the VA Medical Centers

The VA Medical Centers (VAMC) are the ones in charge of providing case managements, supportive services, and clinical services to the homeless veterans.  They will guide and refer each one that they have assessed to the rightful local public housing agency with the right vouchers to assist with their housing needs.

Eligible veterans for the grants for veterans housing program are determined by their urgent need along with willingness to participate in the case management. The funding will support the housing needs of approximately 10,000 homeless veterans.

This new New Jersey housing grants program combines the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) with case management and clinical services offered by the VA to provide rental assistance along with veteran housing grants to homeless veterans.

The Veterans are able to be reached by VA through various medical centers and community-based outreach clinics nationwide.  Funding s provided yearly based on the public housing agency (PHA) administrative performance and geographic need.

The whole allocation process of this program is said to rely on three important data determined yearly.  They are:

1. HUD’s point-in-time data submitted by Continuum of Care (CoCs).
2. VAMC data on the number of contacts with homeless Veterans.
3. Performance data from PHAs and VAMCs.

The above information are carefully studied and taken into consideration in determining which areas of the country have the highest number of homeless veterans.

Permanent Supportive Veteran Housing Grants

The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) is a program administered by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), and some local agencies nationwide.

Over $1.7 million will be given to public housing agencies around New Jersey as per HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and VA Secretary Eric K.  Shinseki.  This is to supply case management and permanent housing to 200 homeless veterans throughout the state.

There is said to be about $75 million approved funding for the Fiscal Year 2012 just to support the many New Jersey housing grants needs of about 10,500 homeless veterans today.  The VA Medical Centers (VAMC) will be providing case management and various services to those veterans eligible for this program.

As the government is slowly realizing the problems in the housing sector, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan knows the disgrace that homeless veterans bring to the country.  It is said that about one out of six men and women in public housing shelters once wore a uniform serving the country.

Through this New Jersey housing grants, they look forward to significantly reduce the homeless veterans.  Therefore, the need arise for the joined forces of HUD, VA, and various local housing agencies to end veteran homelessness.

As per VA Secretary Shinseki:

“Under the leadership of President Obama, we have made significant progress in the fight to end homelessness among veterans, but more work remains.  The partnership between the federal government and community agencies across the country has strengthened all of our efforts to honor our veterans and keep us on track to prevent and eliminate veteran homelessness by 2015.”

The Strategic Roadmap in Ending Homelessness

As the Obama Administration aims to end homelessness by 2015, a plan or roadmap was created to try and put everything and every organization in place for better and efficient results.  This is called “Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness”.

This roadmap includes how the federal government plans to work with the states and creating various local agreements to be able to determine the root cause of homelessness, especially among those who have once served and country along with other citizens of the United States. One of such programs is the New Jersey housing grants for veterans.

Housing counseling grants do assist individuals and families in achieving the American dream of having their own home.  The housing counseling starts upon applying for government grants for housing assistance and grants for housing development and continues after a home has been achieved in order for the grantees to keep their homes for a long time.

Through this program, the homeless and the renters are given assistance to transitional housing into moving into a permanent housing.  Providing enough and much-needed financial literacy training is the main goal of this program.

Though many government grants for housing assistance are given throughout the nation, there are still many losses mainly due to lack of knowledge of guidance with the mortgages, interest rates, and payment terms.

Federal Grants Housing to Benefit New Hampshire Residents

In response to the nation’s heed regarding decent housing and foreclosures, the government has already started various programs to fight the recent downfall in the housing sector such as the government grants for housing assistance.

As a result, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be giving $168,953 in housing counseling grants to the chosen four organizations in New Hampshire as part of the $29 million to be awarded to national, regional, and multi-state housing counseling agencies throughout the country.

In addition to this program, there is roughly a $2.5 billion as part of the $25 billion mortgage servicing settlement that the state authorities can use to prevent foreclosures and provide legal aid services and housing counseling.

An estimated $36 million of grant funds is to directly support various housing counseling services to be given through 419 local housing counseling agencies, 16 State Housing Finance Agencies (SHFAs), 27 national and regional organizations, and 6 multi-state organizations.

The elderly sector is not left out as well, as the government is allotting $4 million to help them with their needs especially those who want reverse mortgages or Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM).  This is to help the elderly convert equity of their homes to income that can help with their everyday needs of medical costs and home improvements.

The funding given will help New Hampshire residents have better chances of keeping their current homes.  As per HUD Regional Administrator Barbara Fields:

“The HUD-approved counseling agencies’ funding supports are crucial in helping families on a one-to-one basis to manage their money, navigate the homebuying process, and secure their financial futures.  HUD is fortunate to have such excellent partners on the ground across New England helping us to get this work done.”

Here are the state and local housing counseling agencies in New Hampshire that will receive funding:

1. Bedford – New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority – $103,840

2. Littleton – Affordable Housing, Education and Development, Inc. (AHEAD) – $22,099

3. Laconia – Laconia Area Community Land Trust – $25,056

4. Manchester – The Way Home – $17,958

New Hampshire Grants for Housing Development

New Hampshire residents especially those who want to apply for housing grants and those who have already received government grants for housing assistance can expect to learn more information and guidance on all their housing conditions.  There will also be more coordination among various counseling providers and agencies to facilitate more efficient support and help to the people.

Grant recipients will learn and understand the various financing and downpayment options, predatory lending, loan documentation, mortgages, interest rates, appraisals, and foreclosure prevention.

Housing Counseling grants are provided through various housing counseling programs to assists residents of each state who are seeking financing for owning, renting, or maintaining a home.  They provide counseling for first-time home buyers or those who have already purchased through Missouri housing grants, Veterans Affairs program, other federal grants, or other housing grants in each state.

Through this grant, assistance is also given to the homeless people and renters alike.  The main objective is to give financial literacy training to individuals and families who would want to purchase a house through home buying grants provided by the government.

They also aim to expand home ownership opportunities, improve access to affordable housing grants, and preserve home ownership.  The counselors guide and advice the individuals and families on everything regarding their housing situation.

They teach everyone the responsibilities associated with owning their own home and maintaining physical state of the home, as well as, their how to deal with their loans from Missouri housing grants programs.

Counseling Programs to Receive Home Buying Grants Assistance

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have granted $253,000 worth of housing counseling grants to be divided to the 11 chosen Missouri counseling programs. This is in part of the government’s effort in helping the housing sector rise from the economy turn-down recently.  Approximately $29 million will be awarded to various national, regional, and multi-state counseling agencies.

This additional funding will help Missouri residents achieve their own homes and prevent future disclosures due to different problems.  Here is the detailed list of the Missouri counseling agencies and their respective awarded funds: 

1. West Central Missouri Community Action Agency in Appleton City – $19,141
2. West Central Missouri Community Action Agency in Appleton City – $10,000
3. 4-Sight Counseling in Cape Girardeau – $19,437
4. Legal Aid of Western Missouri in Kansas City – $31,553
5. Legal Aid of Western Missouri in Kansas City – $11,539
6. Housing Options Provided for the Elderly in Saint Louis   – $23,591
7. Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corp. in Saint Louis – $27,718
8. Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corp. in Saint Louis – $37,182
9. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Incorporated in Saint Louis    – $29,789
10. Youth Education and Health in Soulard in Saint Louis – $27,423
11. Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis in Saint Louis – $15,296

Improving Missouri Residents’ Outlook on Housing Grants

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan sees this funding to be of great help as counseling is very crucial nowadays in helping struggling families manage their money, more so, purchase their own home.  Missouri low-income residents can expect a more secure future as a result of the continuous help from the government.

HUD has been on the battle on persuading Congress for all the additional funds for Missouri housing grants.  Now that they have succeeded in doing so, they will work on having the funds available the soonest.  About $4 million worth of funds will also be given to several housing counseling agencies mainly to help the senior citizens who are interested in reverse mortgages or Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM).

The elderly homeowners can expect guidance for converting home equities to income to be used for home improvements, medical costs, and other expenses of day-to-day living.

Through housing counseling grants, Missouri residents can expect avoidance or elimination of inflated appraisals and unreasonably high interest rates.  This will greatly help in preventing the residents from being scammed.

Today, there are 11 federally-recognized Indian Tribes in Minnesota.  They consists of seven Anishinaabe reservations – Chippewa and Ojibwe and four Dakota communities – Sioux.

Being federally recognized, these Indian tribes gain the rights of self-governance and are entitled to several benefits from the U.S. government such as grants for affordable housing.  The benefits are usually provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) program called Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG).

The U.S. government recognizes the tribe’s government making each tribe in a “domestic dependent nation status”.  Each tribe has their own governmental system that might be from adopted constitutions or inherited bodies of law.

Here are the 11 federally-recognized Indian tribes in the state of Minnesota:

1. Bois Forte Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe – Located in Northern Minnesota and assumed full responsibility of government program delivery in 1997.
2. Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior – Located in Northern Minnesota adjacent to Cloquet, Minnesota.  This was established in 1854 by the LaPointe Treaty.  This is one of the six reservations that serve as home to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
3. Grand Portage Housing Authority – Located in the northeastern tip of Minnesota in Cook County.  This reservation holds the historic and spectacular North Woods-Lake Superior shoreline.
4. Leech Lake Housing Authority – Located in north-central Minnesota forests that hold an oasis of nature’s beauty.
5. Lower Sioux Indian Housing Authority – Located at the south side of Minnesota River.  This is a part of the original reservation that was established through the 1851 treaty.
6. Mille Lacs Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe – This is an Ojibwa tribe located in Minnesota.
7. Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians – The only closed reservation in Minnesota with the highest number of Native American population.
8. Upper Sioux Community Housing Authority – Located in Yellow Medicine County.
9. White Earth Reservation Housing Authority – Located in northwestern Minnesota in the counties of Mahnomen, Becker, and Clearwater but the headquarters are located in White Earth, Minnesota.

Housing Benefit Grants through the 2012 IHBG Funds

IHBG is a formula grant created by HUD to serve the purpose of providing affordable and decent housing on various federally-recognized Indian areas throughout the country.

IHBG receives annual Minnesota housing grants and funds from the government to be used for activities like housing development, assistance, and various services for the eligible individuals and families, crime prevention and safety, and model activities to make each community sustainable.

In 2012, IHBG Minnesota is granted a $18.4 million fund which given was based on a formula grant dependent on the assessed needs of each tribe or designated entity.

HUD Grants for Affordable Housing

According to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, “These funds are making a real difference in tribal communities each and every day.”  He further acknowledges that the IHBG projects are what the communities need to thrive.  This is the government’s response to the goal of building the economy of each Native American community.

As HUD’s Midwest Regional Administrator, Antonio R. Riley, sees it, the Minnesota housing grants, housing benefit grants, and grants for affordable housing is a great help in providing safe and affordable housing to the Native American families.  This is said to help create great economic opportunities for everyone’s benefit.

The Breakdown of the Minnesota Housing Grants Funding

Here is the detailed breakdown of the funding granted through IHBG:

1. Bois Forte Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe – $1,038,639
2. Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior – $3,667,479
3. Grand Portage Housing Authority – $372,500
4. Leech Lake Housing Authority – $3,871,817
5. Lower Sioux Indian Housing Authority – $342,533
6. Mille Lacs Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe – $1,611,737
7. Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians – $3,808,917
8. Upper Sioux Community Housing Authority – $396,477
9. White Earth Reservation Housing Authority – $3,318,164

Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) is responsible for allocating funds to the Indian tribes in Michigan yearly.  The amount of funds per year is based on a formula computed yearly to benefit eligible Indian tribes along with their tribally designated housing authorities.  These funds are mainly used for affordable housing activities including Michigan housing grants.

IHBG was created by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) to address the housing needs of Native Americans throughout the nation.  This formula grant has been the designated program for providing a range of affordable housing programs, housing grants in Michigan Indian areas, and activities on known Indian reservations.

The Indian tribes eligible for IHBG funding are those who have been federally recognized.  The recipient may also be the Indian tribe’s tribally designated housing entity (TDHE).  IHBG has since replaced the United States Housing Act of 1937 (USHA) in distribution of funds for the Indian tribes.

Yearly, each eligible Indian tribe submits an Annual Performance Report (APR) to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  This is to track the yearly progress in meeting the goals set at the beginning of each year along with their objectives.

Housing Grants in Michigan to Benefit 12 Indian Tribes

The $14 million that HUD released in February 2012 will benefit 12 Indian tribes in Michigan.  The funding will be distributed as per the formula computation that assessed each tribe’s needs.

These annual funds are primarily intended to assist low-income individuals and families located in Indian reservations.  These should help them attain housing grants Michigan.

Here are some of the housing grants in Michigan programs and activities where the yearly funds are being used:

• Affordable housing development
• Housing assistance and services
• Infrastructure upgrades
• Community Centers
• Safety Programs
• Crime prevention and safety
• Model activities for self-sustainability

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan knows the importance of these funds in tribal communities as they really do make a difference every day.  The projects supported by these funds help make the Indian communities thrive.  This also serves as the government’s effort in their commitment in ensuring that all Native American communities build their own economies.

Mr. Antonio Riley, HUD’s Midwest Regional Administrator, sees this as a great economy opportunity for the Indian tribes especially the housing grants Michigan.

The 12 Indian Tribes to Receive Housing Grants Michigan

It has been known that the western district of Michigan holds the largest Native American population.  It has 12 federally recognized Indian Tribes.  The principles of government-to-government relations are strongly being practiced for the benefit of both on matters of mutual concern and interest.

Here is the list of the 12 Indian Tribes that will receive IHBG funding from HUD for Michigan housing grants:

1. Bay Mills Indian Community – $739,139
2. Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians – $1,235,785
3. Hannahville Potawatomie Housing – $183,604
4. Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Housing – $1,730,303
5. Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians – $264,403
6. Little River Band of Ottawa Indians – $281,105
7. Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians – $632,700
8. Match E- Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan – $178,247
9. Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi – $580,760
10. Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians – $2,276,049
11. Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe  of Michigan – $1,066,187
12. Sault Ste Marie Housing Authority – $4,733,376

Indian Housing Block Grants for affordable housing were the result, when the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) wanted to reorganize the Federal housing assistance system to Native Americans.

The Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) is a single block grant program that recognizes the right to self-determination and tribal self-governance by the Indian community around the country.  The housing activities provided through this grant includes affordable housing grants, sustainable housing grants, as well as, social housing grants.

This program benefits the low-income Indian families located on various Indian reservations and communities.  There is a certain formula for the computation of each grant given to a certain individual or family.  This is to carefully assess and consider the local needs and the housing units as per under management of the tribe or other designated entity.

More IHBG Funding for Sustainable Housing Grants

Funds are usually distributed yearly based on a formula for various eligible Indian tribes or their tribally designated housing authorities.  The funds help their communities with a range of affordable housing grants and programs to make them sustainable and self-sufficient.

This year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is giving $3,926,247 as additional funding for IHBG specifically in Maine.  This will benefit five eligible tribes in the state of Maine.

As HUD’s Regional Administrator Barbara Fields sees it, the funds will make a huge difference among the tribal communities in Maine.  This will be of great help in projects that will include affordable housing, community centers, infrastructure upgrades, and some safety programs in which each community thrives in.

This funding is said to be in part of the government’s effort in making their commitment of helping Native American communities build their own economies a reality.

Economy building is not an easy task especially with the state of economy the nation is at.  But this is a great step towards the goal as the Indian tribes and communities help themselves be sustainable while the government responds to their needs and whatever else they see fit.

The Tribe Recipients of Social Housing Grants

Here are the five recipients for the IHBG 2012 Funding for affordable housing grants:

1. Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians – $607,727

Federally recognized since November 26, 1991, they consists of about 1100 members, majority of which is located in Aroostook County, Northern Maine.  They make themselves self-sufficient through production of a variety of traditional baskets made from splint ash wood, split cedar, and birch bark.

2. Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Housing Authority – $505,206

Federally recognized since October 1980, they consist of about 800 members.  They now have a farm and several commercial land holdings in Aroostook County.

3. Indian Township Passamaquoddy Housing Authority – $964,356

This tribe has two locations – Princeton and Perry, Maine.  They now consist of a total of 3,369 members and have made some business ventures including creative apparel and outdoor excursions.

4. Penobscot Tribe of Maine – $1,020,008

This tribe consists of about 2,200 members.

5. Pleasant Point Reservation Housing – $828,950

This tribe consists of about 3,464 members.

Over the 10 years that Tehiji Crenshaw has been in service, she has already helped more than 8,500 families with all her abilities.  She has been helping the Indiana residents acquire state housing grants with affordable multifamily rental housing and single family home ownership, foreclosure prevention, energy efficiency and home rehabilitation needs, as well as, housing counseling grants.

Housing Counseling Grants and the People Behind Them

Tehiji Crenshaw is a resident of Evansville, Indiana who is currently employed as the Director of Housing Programs for Community Action Program of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Inc. (CAPE).

She holds a degree of Bachelor of Education from the University of Evansville and had achieved many certifications over the years.  Here is a list of her certifications:

• Certified Loss Mitigation/Foreclosure Prevention Counselor
• Family Development Specialist
• HUD Housing Counselor
• HOME Program Specialist
• Pre and Post Purchase Education Counselor
• Certified Green Professional
• Housing Development Finance Professional
• Certified Aging-In Place Specialist
• Licensed Lead Paint Project Supervisor
• Lead-Based Paint Inspector
• Clearance Examiner
• Risk Assessor

Ms. Crenshaw had been facilitating both group counseling and individual family counseling sessions mostly in regards with credit and budget issues and Foreclosure Prevention Counseling.  Ms. Crenshaw has also been conducting Energy Education sessions for the state residents and especially for the first time homebuyers.

Governor Mitch Daniels has seen the potential in Ms. Tehiji Crenshaw and had appointed her as one of the seven commissioners of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.   She is also a board member of the Evansville Community Redevelopment Partnership, Inc. and a current member of the Indiana Civil Rights Educational Steering Committee and Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation Multicultural Committee.

Leader in Housing Counseling and Indiana Housing Grants

The White House and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will honor 11 housing counselors and HUD-approved organizations as “Champions of Change”.  This is in recognition of their hard work, perseverance, and unending dedication to their respective communities.

As what the White House Senior Advisor, Valerie Jarrett said:

“Housing counselors work tremendously hard, each and every day, to help families realize the American dream.  From helping homeowners avoid foreclosure to making sure tenants understand their rights to working with borrowers to restore their credit, the men and women we honor today truly are Champions of Change.”

Antonio R. Riley, HUD’s Midwest Regional Administrator, recognizes the housing counselors’ dedication to serving as they continuously educate and assist individuals and families in navigating the complexities of sustainable home-ownership.

This program will be a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative.  There will be a different sector and person each week to be highlighted with all their works as they serve and strengthen their own communities.

Tehiji Crenshaw – A Champion of Change in Grants Housing

Last Thursday, March 1, 2012, Tehiji Crenshaw of Evansville, Indiana was awarded as a “Champion of Change”.

John Hall, HUD’s Indianapolis Field Office Director, has been vocal about being proud of Ms. Tehiji Crenshaw, as well as, the other Indiana housing counselors who work hard to fight foreclosures ever since the housing crisis hit the nation.  He acknowledges their perseverance to assist residents in Indiana housing grants and improvement of housing conditions under the grants housing section.

Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) had been helping provide its residents with decent, sustainable, and affordable housing without discrimination throughout the years.  They are responsible for the development of affordable public housing, rental and supportive housing, and other types of housing services in the state of Hawaii.

HPHA helps provide different government funded housing grants, as well as, private grants for housing.  They are dedicated to increase the affordable housing opportunities for every Hawaiian resident.

With the approval of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the additional funding of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, an amount totaling to $9,454,397was released for public housing in the state. This funding is granted to make the long overdue major large scale improvements to Hawaii public housing units.

Grants for Housing Through Capital Fund Program

Capital Fund Program is HUD’s program responsible for providing annual funding to all public housing authorities.  These are the funds used annually for building, repairing, renovating, and even modernizing the public housing units achieved through housing government grants.

The funding will also be used for the large scale improvements and much needed renovations for the public housing units acquired through various home grants.  The large scale improvements will include renovation and replacement of roofs, as well as, doing upgrades in the electrical and plumbing departments to make the public housing communities more energy efficient.

Approval of Comprehensive Tool for Home Grants in Hawaii

As HUD’s budget for 2012 for all the public housing authorities in each state had recently been approved, Congress had also authorized HUD to start with their new comprehensive tool.  This new comprehensive tool is called Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD).

RAD is a critical demonstration tool with the goal of helping preserve and enhance decent and affordable housing throughout the country. Obama Administration thinks this is a good way to bring the public housing sector back on its way to attaining firm financial footing once again.

This demonstration tool aims to bring more than 60,000 properties in long-term, project-based rental assistance contracts. This will then allow around $6.1 billion to be raised by the public housing authorities. This is in hope of reducing the deep backlog in the public housing sector industry.

Housing Government Grants and a Glance Into Last Year’s Study

The study that HUD released last year is called Capital Needs in the Public Housing Program.  The program study was the one responsible for updating the national estimate of all the capital needs in the public housing sector.

The study determined that an estimate of $26.5 billion is needed to fill every need in public housing.  The amount is said to have ballooned because of the recent economy problems causing less funding for repairs and renovations leading to significant loss of housing units and home grants.

Section 3 Business Registry is a pilot program first to be launched in Washington, D.C.  The pilot program will also be later launched in Detroit, New Orleans, Miami, and Los Angeles.

This program aims to expand and widen job opportunities for the low income residents and those who have already been given low income housing grants.  This will be made possible by keeping a registry of the business willing to hire those who have been earlier entitled to grants for low income housing.

Section 3 Business Registry was created by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Act of 1968 for the purpose of promoting more training, employment, and contracting opportunities.  These are all for the benefit of the low income residents living in communities established and being kept by HUD.  The program wants to build and promote self-sufficiency for these people.

Training Residents Under the Grants for Low Income Housing

HUD sees this program as a win-win situation for everyone in Section 3 communities.  Each individual who had received government grants low income housing will now have more opportunity for growth and improvement.  They will be further trained to successfully land a job from HUD-funded businesses.  The businesses in turn will also prosper as HUD grants funds for more projects and constructions.

The government had been long giving away housing grants for low income families now.  But giving a house alone will not make a family thrive in their day-to-day living.  This new program will be like an answered prayer for these individuals who would just want to work for their families.

As per studies, there has been an increase from 20% to 80% since 2009 of the eligible HUD recipients in the Section 3 Program.  HUD had been giving out training sessions and technical assistance for the aspiring HUD recipients.  On the other hand, they also have been sitting down and discussing with various potential business sectors looking for areas of improvement.

This recent housing grants for low income families is said to be enough for supporting 12 local recipients, namely public housing authorities, cities, counties, and state.  These recipients will be allowed to hire full time coordinators in Section 3 program.

Housing Grants for Low Income Families and Building Strong Communities

Section 3 encourages self-sufficiency for each community through determining the business that would be eligible in this program for low income housing grants.

All eligible and certified businesses will be in the program’s database.  This database will then be used by various agencies receiving funds from HUD, developers, and contractors.  This will also help residents search for employment opportunities that are funded by HUD.

Recent numbers showed a great improvement as the 2010 HUD investments have already led to 38,000 new jobs.  Approximately 47% of this value came from Section 3 program hires.  At least 4,000 business concerns included in Section 3 had received $475 million in contracts.  Everybody is hopeful that the progress of this program for government grants low income housing continues.

But the best news from all these is that a historic Jobs Bill has been passed recently.  The good thing is that this bill states that 51% of all new employment opportunities from local funding should be given to District of Columbia residents.  This is the government’s way of ensuring that the maximum amount of jobs opportunities will be given to local residents with the highest economic needs first and foremost, aside from the low income housing grants that this target sector receive.

HUD’s Pilot Program Launched

U.S. Development of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have awarded $23 million to start the development and testing of cutting-edge, energy-saving solutions to various housing sectors nationwide especially for the older housing units.  This pilot program is called Energy Innovation Funds that are to be divided into 12 various organizations nationwide.

This program’s goal is to develop an energy-saving mechanism that can later be replicated and applied nationally.  This aims to create a new industry standard in the area of home energy efficiency.  This pilot program is to help the catalyzation of the home energy retrofit market through acceleration of the private investments in energy-saving efficiency retrofits in the housing sector.

Should this program be successful, this will give significant benefits to both residents of the green housing grants, federal housing grants, as well as, developers and owners of the housing properties.  There will result in significant reduction in energy consumption reduction and operating costs while supporting more job creation and clearer climate change objectives.

Energy-Saving Tests to be First Tried in Older Multi-Family Housing Developments

Throughout the whole nation today, owners of aging housing developments are becoming more and more concerned with the status of their apartment complexes.  Most residents have been applying for free home repair grants and home renovation grants to help them with the aging and of course, wear and tear of the housing units.

Foreclosures have also been a problem especially once the residents could not afford to pay everything at one.  This causes more losses in the housing sector so the owners are thinking and looking for ways to help the residents, as well as, themselves.

A great factor that can be of help in saving money is reducing energy consumption especially for the older units with outdated electrical and plumbing system.  Therefore, the newly formulated energy-saving tests will first be tested on older multi-family residential properties.

Twelve various affordable housing providers, academic institutions, technology firms, and philanthropic organizations were among those selected to receive funding for testing and implementation of the new energy-saving techniques.

As per the HUD’s Office of Affordable Housing Preservation associate deputy assistant secretary Theodore Toon,

“These energy saving innovations will be driven by the private sector who will lead the way in bringing down the costs in our older multi-family housing stock.  HUD’s new Energy Innovation Fund will become the model for others to follow in the national effort to bring new generation of energy efficiency to older residential properties.”

The 12 Beneficiaries of the Energy Innovation Funding

With the goal of more than just going green, here are the selected organizations that will receive funding from HUD: