Big Block Grant Boost In Essex County: Towns, Groups Get $5.4M – Livingston, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A total of 14 Essex County municipalities and 34 community groups will get about $5.4 million in federal funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program.

Earlier this month, officials released the results of the latest rounds of funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which are administered by the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development.

See the full list of recipients below.

Municipalities and non-profit organizations must meet specific criteria established by HUD 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.

“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,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. 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,” DiVincenzo added.

“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,” said Anibal Ramos, director of the Essex County Department of Economic Development, Training and Employment.

“This is a great example of a tax relief program that benefits all county citizens,” Ramos said.

TOWNS/COUNTY – According to county officials, 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.

NONPROFITS – 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.

SOCIAL SERVICES – 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.

The following charts come courtesy of Essex County.

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