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American Samoa awarded $1.2 Million in FY2021 HUD grants

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Source: Media release from Cong. Uifaatali Amata's office

Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata welcomed FY 2021 funds from three Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs for a total of $1,224,593.

The largest of the three grants is a Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) of $886,964, with a HOME program grant of $260,423, and an Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) of $77,206. Each fiscal year, Congress appropriates budgeted funds for all federal departments and agencies.

“These 2021 funds will be helpful to local efforts for better housing,” said Amata. “Thank you to Congress, HUD, and congratulations to Commerce Director Petti Matila and everyone else working with any of these three programs in our community, so that housing quality can see improvements. Congratulations also to my colleague, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, upon her pending nomination as HUD Secretary by President Biden.”

These federal funds are part of $5.5 billion announced nationwide for programs to provide affordable housing, community development and economic opportunity, and support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

CDBG provides annual grants on a formula basis to states/territories and localities to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low/moderate-income persons.

HOME provides funding to states and localities that communities use, in partnership with local nonprofit groups, to fund a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people.

ESG provides funds for homeless shelters, assists in the operation of local shelters and funds related social service and homeless prevention programs.

“These core programs provide our local partners the funding they need to provide homes and vital services to some of our neighbors in need,” said Acting HUD Secretary Matt Ammon.

President Biden has nominated Congresswoman Fudge to be the next HUD Secretary, and that nomination has passed a Committee vote to be considered by the U.S. Senate.