For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, March 9, 1999

(Washington, D.C.) -- Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today announced the award of $1.6 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to the City of Yakima.

The funds represent $1,015,000 in Community Development Block Grants and a HOME Investment Partnership Grant in the amount of $547,000.

The grant funds will be used to expand and rehabilitate the supply of affordable housing opportunities, improve public facilities such as streets and parks, and provide assistence to the homeless.

"Affordable housing is increasingly scarce all across Washington state," Murray said. "These funds are critical for mid-sized cities like Yakima where demand has far outpaced the supply."

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray has worked for full funding for Community Development Block Grant programs. The CDBG program is HUD's most flexible tool for assisting cities, towns, and states to meet local development priorities .