01 Feb ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO PRESENTS $5.7 MILLION IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES GRANTS 10 Municipalities and 30 Community Organizations Receive Funding for Infrastructure Improvements, Community Programs and Building Renovations
Published on February 1, 2024
Cedar Grove, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that about $5.7 million will be distributed to 10 Essex County municipalities and 30 community organizations through the Community Development Block Grant program and the Emergency Services Grant program on Wednesday, January 31st. 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.
“I want to congratulate and thank all the municipalities and non-profits for your hard work. It is rewarding to see all the projects and programs being supported and knowing the impact they will have,” Commissioner President Carlos Pomares said. “These funds contribute greatly to our communities and enrich the lives of our residents,” Commissioner Patricia Sebold said. “All the towns and organizations represented here are pillars of the community. It is gratifying to see all that is being accomplished for our residents,” Commissioner Len Luciano said. “These projects and services being funded today really make a difference in the lives of our residents,” Commissioner Brendan Gill said.
A total of $4,343,781 was awarded to 10 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, purchase a vehicle for senior citizen transportation and enhance park facilities. Grants ranged in size from $30,000 to Roseland for ADA improvements at Tedesco Park to $320,000 to Belleville for water line replacement and $320,000 to Orange for the rehabilitation of Tompkins Street. Essex County was provided with $1,047,356 for program oversight, monitoring and administration and $1,636,825 for roadway improvements to Clinton Avenue in Irvington and Irvington Avenue in South Orange. Bloomfield, East Orange, Irvington and Newark apply for CDBG funding independently and do not participate in the Essex County consortium. Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Glen Ridge, Millburn, North Caldwell, South Orange and Verona did not submit applications. (A chart of all the recipients is attached.)
A total of $893,000 was awarded directly to non-profit community organizations. Grant funding will support mental health counseling, supportive services for disabled residents, vocational rehabilitative services, facility upgrades and the purchase of vehicles. Grants ranged in size from $10,000 to Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ in West Orange, NCJW of Essex in Livingston and Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan NJ in Newark to $185,000 to the Arc of Essex County for building improvements. Essex County was provided with grants of $250,000 for the Home Improvement Program and $100,000 for the Tenant Resource Center. (A chart of all the recipients is attached.)
A total of $460,630 was awarded to nine local social service agencies through the Emergency Services Grant program. Funding will be used to renovate shelter facilities, support housing programs and homeless prevention services, and street outreach initiatives. Grants range in size from $12,000 to Newark Emergency Services for rapid rehousing activities to $145,083 to YMCA of Newark and Vicinity for shelter and rapid rehousing activities. Essex County was provided with a $34,547 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.
