The Community Development Office helps plan the distribution of federal funds including Community Block Grant Funds (CDBG); Home Investment Partnership Funds (HOME), American Dream Down-payment Initiative (ADDI), Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). The funds are used to improve housing, facilities, and promote economic development for low to moderate income households as required by HUD.
In addition to helping with housing needs, the funds are used to promote neighborhood revitalization in older central city areas. This is accomplished through demolition of substandard housing, building new infrastructure and working with community partners to built new housing for low to moderate income families.
A summary of each federal funding program with objectives follows:
Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement program allocates annual grants to the nation's larger cities and urban counties to develop viable communities by providing decent house, a suitable living environment, and expand economic opportunities, principally for low-income and moderate-income persons.
HOME Investment Partnerships Program
HOME funds are for the purpose of providing decent, safe, affordable housing to low-income households. HOME funds may be used to assist existing homeowners with the repair, rehabilitation or reconstruction of owner-occupied units.
American Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI)
Funds for first time homebuyers up to $10,000 in concert with HOME funds to provide opportunities for homeownership. Families who qualify for a mortgage loan below $60,000 are offered ADDI funds to expand a wider range of housing choices and upgrade the level of the housing. ADDI funds are being used to supplement all other homebuyer programs.
Housing Opportunity for persons with aids (HOPWA)
Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS provides housing opportunities for persons who have tested positive for HIV/AIDS. The primary objective of this program is to provide independent living to persons with HIV/AIDS so that they may maintain stability in their lives. The HOPWA program provides housing and supportive services for persons infected with HIV or HIDS who reside in Copiah, Hinds, Madison, Rankin and Simpson counties.
Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG)
The Emergency Shelter Grant Program provides homeless persons with basic shelter and essential supportive services. The program is designed to help improve the quality of existing emergency shelters for the homeless, to help make available additional emergency shelters, to help meet the costs of operating shelters, and to provide certain essential services to homeless individuals.
For More Information Contact:
Leo Stevens, Development Specialist
218 S. President St.,
Jackson, MS .9201
Phone: 601-960-2155
