CUOMO ANNOUNCES $29.3 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR COMMUNITIES
IN PUERTO RICO UNDER NEW HUD DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM

The grants will help the communities recover from Hurricane Hortense, which hit the island last September.

The grants were authorized under disaster relief legislation signed into law by President Clinton in June.

"No amount of money can erase the terrible devastation caused by Hurricane Hortense in Puerto Rico, but this assistance can help speed recovery efforts to create stronger and better communities," Cuomo said. "The Clinton Administration stands with the people of Puerto Rico in their determination to rebuild from the damage caused by this disaster as completely and quickly as humanly possible."

Cuomo made the grant announcement from Washington in a TV satellite news conference with Governor Pedro Rosello in Puerto Rico.

Funds under the new HUD Disaster Recovery Program can be used for long-term recovery efforts, property buyouts, relocations and efforts to prevent future flood damage. The program will give communities great flexibility in meeting local needs quickly.

Communities can use funds for: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities; homeownership assistance, including downpayment assistance and interest rate subsides; building new replacement housing; code enforcement; and assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention.

The HUD assistance will supplement aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies.

Governor Rosello said: "Hurricane Hortense caused severe damage in Puerto Rico. HUD's Disaster Recovery Program will help us rebuild and heal the wounds caused by this powerful hurricane."

NOTE: Attached is a projects listing.