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Union County Department of Economic Development Awards Community Development Block Grants to Municipalities and Organizations Totaling Over $4.6 Million

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados addresses the CDBG Grant recipients at the Year 44 Workshop in Cranford on October 19.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the disbursement process is under way for more than $4.6 million in funding to municipalities and organizations across Union County, under the Community Development Block Grant program. Now in its 44th year, CDBG is a federal program administered at the local level for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funds go to improving roadways, social service programs, and housing assistance with a focus on seniors and low income families.

Each year, the Union County Department of Economic Development hosts a workshop to inform awardees on the disbursement process. The Year 44 workshop took place on October 19.

“Community Development Block Grants fund initiatives and programs that contribute to the success and betterment of our community,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, who met with and thanked over 60 service providers and township representatives at the workshop.  

Granados added: “The County works directly with municipalities to award these grants in support of innovative approaches and efforts such as senior center programs, local food pantries, handicap accessible curb rehabilitation and more. The Freeholder Board is thankful for the existence of these programs and is proud to support programs that have a positive impact and improve quality of life in Union County.”

The CDBG program includes the Home Improvement Program, through which residents are provided deferred payment loans to make improvements to upgrade their homes to standard conditions. The loans are non-interest bearing and payment is deferred until sale or transfer of the property.

Funds disbursed were used by municipalities for various programs and initiatives. Examples of planned usage of disbursed funds include:

 

Cranford: Senior Citizens Social Services Program and Cranford Housing Nutrition Program

Hillside: Maternal Child Health Care Program and Buie Center Youth Recreation Program

Linden: Roadway rehabilitation and Home Improvement Program        

Mountainside: Senior Citizens Social Services and Food Pantry/Nutrition Program

Plainfield: YMCA Roof Repair and Disable Care Services

Springfield: Senior Citizens Transportation and Emergency Generator for Freeman Apartments

 

Union County administers CDBG grants for 19 of the 21 municipalities. The Home Improvement program is available to residents of 17 of the 21 municipalities.

Applications for next year (September 1st, 2019 – August 31st 2020) are currently available online at ucnj.org/cdbg. The deadline is December 7 at 9:30 a.m.. For more information and to learn about eligibility requirements, contact Brandon Givens, Director of Community Services, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, at 908-527-4462

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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