05 Feb ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO PRESENTS $5.4 MILLION IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS AND EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS 14 Municipalities and 34 Community Organizations Receive Funding for Infrastructure Improvements, Community Programs and Building Renovations
Published on February 5, 2020
Cedar Grove, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that about $5.4 million will be distributed to 14 Essex County municipalities and 34 community organizations through the Community Development Block Grant program and the Emergency Solutions Grant program on Wednesday, January 29th. The CDBG and ESG programs are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development.
“Programs supported through the CDBG and ESG programs are direct investments to provide services that enhance our quality of life and help stabilize our neighborhoods by modernizing our infrastructure and supporting programs that assist vulnerable populations,” DiVincenzo said. “These federal grants enable us to upgrade our sidewalks and roads, enhance handicap access, address mental health needs, support food pantries, and stimulate the overall development in our communities,” he added.
A total of $2,089,641 was awarded to 14 municipalities and County programs in the Essex County consortium. Grant funding will be used to repave roadways, improve handicapped accessibility at public buildings, install new sidewalks, improve water and sewer lines, modernize park facilities and purchase a senior bus. Grants ranged in size from $25,000 to Roseland to install an ADA ramp in the First Aid Building to $370,500 to Orange for improvements to the Colgate Park pool and Central Park, support to the Main Street Counseling Center and the purchase of a handicap accessible senior bus. Essex County was provided with $1,039,263 for program oversight, monitoring and administration. Bloomfield, East Orange, Irvington and Newark apply for CDBG funding independently and do not participate in the Essex County consortium. Caldwell, Essex Fells, Livingston and North Caldwell did not submit applications. (A chart of all the recipients is attached.)
A total of $1,787,411 was awarded directly to non-profit community organizations. Grant funding will support after school enrichment, job readiness, youth mentoring and senior support programs, vehicle purchases, renovations to make facilities ADA-compliant, and programs to raise awareness about foreclosures. Grants ranged in size from $7,800 to Jewish Family Services in Livingston to provide services to frail, homebound older adults to $48,500 to Wynona’s House in Newark for Family Resource Center renovations. Essex County was provided with grants of $856,399 to repave roads, $79,200 to purchase a handicap accessible senior bus, $91,200 for landlord and tenant counseling and $467,172 for a home improvement program. (A chart of all the recipients is attached.)
A total of $440,579 was awarded to eight local social service agencies through the Emergency Solutions Grant program. Funding will be used to renovate shelter facilities, support housing programs and homeless prevention services, and support a drop in center. Grants range in size from $12,000 to the Salvation Army in Newark for a homeless prevention program to $73,000 to the YMCA of Newark and Vicinity for emergency shelter operations. Essex County was provided with a $33,043 grant to administer the program. (A chart of all the recipients is attached.)
“The beauty of the CDBG and ESG programs is their ability to fund a broad array of projects without affecting the budgets of the County, municipalities or organizations receiving the grants. This is a great example of a tax relief program that benefits all County citizens,” said Anibal Ramos, Director of the Essex County Department of Economic Development, Training and Employment.
Municipalities and non-profit organizations must meet specific criteria established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to be eligible for grant funding. These funds have no impact on the County budget and cannot be used as revenue in the County’s operating budget.
The Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development, located at 20 Crestmont Road in Verona/Montclair, offers a variety of assistance programs designed to stimulate development in communities, stabilize residential neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for low- and moderate-income residents. It administers the Community Development Block Grant Program, Home Improvement Program and the Emergency Solutions Grant program for the County and 18 Essex municipalities. Bloomfield, East Orange, Irvington and Newark have their own housing and development programs. For more information, call the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development at 973-655-0200.