def #72

def #72 04/29/2009

CDBG FUNDS EARMARKED FOR HOUSING AND SERVICE PROJECTS

TOMS RIVER – Ocean County expects to distribute almost $1.4 million in federal funds to municipalities and public agencies for housing rehabilitation and municipal and public service projects.

“Ocean County has been participating in the federal Community Development Block Grant Program since 1984,” said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Planning Department, which administers the program. “Many great projects have resulted from the distribution of these funds.”

About $565,000 of the 2009 funding would be allocated for projects such as handicap accessibility, parks and recreational facilities, improvements to streets, sidewalks, curbs, and public facilities and housing rehabilitation.

In addition, $200,000 will be provided for public service activities such as transportation services, counseling and day care centers, domestic violence and youth runaway centers, visiting homecare services and senior services.

“These projects and services benefit all the residents of a community,” Little said. “We appreciate the ongoing dedication of the block grant committee that helps to select the most appropriate projects to receive funding.”

The county received 30 applications for CDBG funding totaling about $1.6 million. The total amount of anticipated CDBG funding available to Ocean County is about $1.4 million.

“The funding would cover a total of 14 municipal projects and 11 public service projects,” Little said.

In addition, the county anticipates receiving $1,256,610 from the federal HOME program. The allocation is used primarily for the tenant based rental assistance program, the first time homebuyer assistance program, moderate and substantial housing rehabilitation program, and new construction of affordable housing units.

“This money, over the years, has helped 306 families receive down payment assistance to purchase their first homes, helped rehabilitate 184 housing units, helped to develop 35 single family homes and provided 568 families with rental subsidies averaging about $700 a month for a 24-month period,” Little said. “From improving handicapped access to helping people reach the American dream of homeownership, these funds help make a difference in the lives of many of our residents.”

Receiving separate entitlements of CDBG funding are Brick Township, which is expected to receive $352,684, Toms River Township, $449,541, Lakewood Township, $776,320. In addition, Jackson Township is expected to receive $197,978. Those funds are included in the county’s allocation because the county administers Jackson Township’s program.

The following are the funding recommendations for the public service projects under the CDBG program: Ocean Harbor House, abused and neglected children, salaries and operating costs, $13,000; Providence House-Ocean, battered and abused spouses, salaries for 24-hour Emergency Hotline, $11,000; Interfaith Hospitality Network/OC, temporary shelter/working homeless families, salaries and operating costs, $9,500; Hands For All, urgent housing rehabilitation, salaries administrative expenses and materials, $35,000; Ocean County Hunger Relief, food distribution/referral emergency food services, $5,000; O.C.E.A.N., Inc., Comprehensive Residential Rehabilitation Weatherization Program materials, $35,000; FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean, delivery of emergency food, salary for driver, $14,000; Contact of Ocean County, 24-Hour Crisis Hotline, salaries and operating costs, $10,000; Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, assist elderly, disabled and homebound, salaries and operating costs, $7,500; Long Beach Island Community Center, counseling, child care services, salaries and operating costs, $54,000; Stafford Township Interfaith Health & Support Services, assist elderly, disabled and homebound, salaries and operating costs, $6,000.

The following are the funding recommendations for the CDBG project applications: Bay Head, handicap access to library, $42,000; Eagleswood Township, continuation of sidewalk and curb cut improvements downtown West Creek, $42,000; Lakehurst, Hibernia Avenue curb and sidewalk improvements, $42,000; Lavallette, handicap beach access Brown and Jersey City avenues, $42,000; Little Egg Harbor Township, addition of food bank to Senior Center, $42,000; Long Beach Township, handicap beach access ramps at 68th, 99th, 105th, 111th, 127th, and 14th streets in Loveladies section, $42,000; Manchester Township, Summit Park sidewalks, $42,000; Mantoloking, handicap accessibility to bay front, $21,000; Ocean Gate, handicap accessibility improvement to boardwalk at Anglesea and Ocean Gate avenues, $42,000; Point Pleasant, handicap improvements to Municipal Building, $42,000; Seaside Heights, boardwalk improvements, $42,000; Seaside Park, handicap ramp improvements, $42,000; Ship Bottom, handicap access to bay front between 13th and 16th streets, $40,000; South Toms River, Mathis Plaza – sidewalk improvements, $42,000.