Valley gets 1st portion of federal stimulus aid

STAFF REPORT

WASHINGTON — The first round of federal stimulus dollars has found its way into the Valley.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, announced Tuesday that the 17th District has received about $7.45 million from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department in this first round.

The money, which is coming from a federal stimulus bill passed in February, is to be used for Community Block Grants, lead removal, homeless prevention programs and public housing.

“This is the start of a strong, coordinated effort on behalf of the federal government to turn our economy around,” Ryan said.

Of the $7.45 million, Youngstown has been allocated more than $2.6 million to go toward the Community Development Block Grant, which gives money to local governments to clean up neighborhoods, provide affordable housing and create economic growth in low- and middle-income neighborhoods.

That money will also be used for the Homelessness Prevention Fund, which provides financial assistance and services to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless. Those funds help pay for short- or medium-term rental assistance and housing relocation and stabilization services, including mediation, credit counseling, security or utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance and case management.

Mahoning County received $875,000 to go toward the Healthy Homes Demonstration Grant Program throughout Mahoning County. The program cleans up legacy health hazards, such as lead contamination, which produce serious diseases and injuries in children, the elderly and in low-income households.

Warren received a total of $894,952 that will be used for the Community Development Block Grant and the Homelessness Prevention Fund.

Summit and Portage counties and the cities of Kent, Akron and Cuyahoga Falls also received funds from this chunk of the stimulus bill.

“These funds will help our community ensure that we have safe quality housing for all our neighbors,” Ryan said.