Nonprofit HUD grants are a start . . .
Cottage Landings, an 18 unit condominium complex on Edgar Place in Rye, is one of several affordable housing projects under construction in Westchester County. (March 27, 2012) Credit: Angela Gaul
The federal government won’t restore $12 million in grants to Westchester County as a result of the affordable housing impasse, but a not-for-profit that is supposed to help market the plan will get nearly $750,000 for its work against housing discrimination – apparently without the middle man.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced that Westchester Residential Opportunities will get five separate grants ranging from $125,000 to $212,066, as part of its competitive grants process.
That’s important for the goals of the housing settlement, but it shouldn’t overshadow the importance of the community development block grant money that isn't getting to not-for-profits and communities – including some cities not directly affected by the deal – because of an ongoing stalemate between the county and federal government.
WRO was one of 99 organizations across the country to receive part of $41.2 million to help battle against housing discrimination. The money is used to enforce the Fair Housing Act by investigating accusations of discriminatory practices and to help educate providers, governments and potential victims about their rights and responsibilities.
So this is a start. But as I wrote in a column last week, HUD should release the roughly $12 million in community development block grant money.
