Soto Announces Over $30.3 Million in HUD Funding for Florida’s Ninth Congressional District

KISSIMMEE, FL — Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) announced that Florida’s Ninth Congressional District received over $30.3 million through multiple grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These annual formula grants provide critical funding for a wide range of activities including affordable housing, community development, and homelessness assistance.

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“We are proud to announce that multiple cities and counties across Florida’s Ninth Congressional District will soon receive over $30 million in federal funds from the Biden Administration,” said Congressman Soto. These funds will be deployed to create more affordable housing across Central Florida, foster community development, and uplift those who are experiencing homelessness. We are grateful to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Central Florida’s own Regional Administrator Jose Alvarez for prioritizing our community. We look forward to working with local governments to distribute these funds in the most effective and efficient way possible to help our residents. It’s a great day to be a Central Floridian.”

"Cities across the country are working every day to address the tough issues of homelessness, housing affordability, and building livable neighborhoods for all," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. "Support from the federal government is essential to our efforts. Secretary Fudge's announcement of $5.6 billion in funding to local governments throughout the country will mean more than $9.5 million to the City of Orlando to provide new and rehabilitated affordable housing and to help get those experiencing homelessness connected with resources and off the streets into housing. The City of Orlando appreciates the significant investment by HUD and thanks Congressman Soto for his steadfast support of these essential programs for local communities.”

"I am delighted about today’s announcement and how our continued partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development will make an impact in our community. It’s no secret that Orange County is facing a housing crisis, and with these additional funds we will create more affordable housing units, combat homelessness and improve our quality of life,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. 

“These funds allow the county to provide crucial support for affordable housing for our residents. We’re thankful to Congressman Soto for his help in getting the HOME program fully funded. Our HOME funds are utilized to build new affordable housing as well as rehabilitate existing affordable housing, and the preservation of affordable housing in Osceola County. Most importantly, they are utilized to support rental and homeownership assistance initiatives for low-income families, who otherwise might find it impossible to find a suitable home,” said Osceola County Commission Chairwoman Viviana Janer.

 "The City of St. Cloud is thankful to be receiving more than $300K in funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Development Block Grant," said City of St. Cloud Mayor Nathan Blackwell. "In the past, we have used our CDBG dollars to fund small business assistance grants, provide summer camps and other programs for our youth, and have supported those less fortunate in our community through local food pantries."

The grants announced are provided through the following HUD programs:

$16.4 million for FL-09 to build stronger communities: The Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, counties, and insular areas to develop stronger, more resilient communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income people.

$7.2 million for FL-09 to produce affordable housing: The HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program is the primary federal tool of states and local governments to produce affordable rental and owner-occupied housing for low-income families. HOME funds 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. HOME projects leverage non-federal funds including, in many cases, tax credits for affordable rental housing. 

$1.2 million for FL-09 to address homelessness: The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program provides funds for homeless shelters, assists in the operation of local shelters, and funds related social service and homeless prevention programs. Recipients enable people to quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness. ESG funds may be used for street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and rapid re-housing assistance.

$5.5 million for Orlando to connect people with HIV/AIDS to housing and support: The Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) program provides stable and permanent housing assistance and supportive services to low-income people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

For the full list of communities that received funding, please click here. 

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