SECRETARY MARTINEZ PARTICIPATES IN RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR BRADENTON HOPE VI DEVELOPMENT AND ANNOUNCES NEW HOPE VI GRANT
Additional $1.8 Million Grant to Transform Public Housing, Help Residents

BRADENTON, Fla. - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez joined Congresswoman Katherine Harris today at the new Bradenton Village mixed-income community to cut ribbon on the recently completed HOPE VI development and to announce the awarding of an additional $1.8 million HOPE VI Revitalization grant that will help Bradenton continue its redevelopment efforts in this community.

"Revitalizing distressed communities continues to be a priority of this administration," said Martinez at Bradenton Village. "This new development builds on the city's strong commitment to affordable housing for Bradenton families."

"Bradenton Village provides an extraordinary testament to the Bradenton community's determined efforts to extend quality, affordable housing to every resident," Harris said. "Moreover, it demonstrates the Bush Administration's unshakeable commitment to the revitalization of public housing."

The Housing Authority of the City of Bradenton (HACB) received a $21.5 million HOPE VI grant in 1999 to revitalize the Roger's Garden and Roger's Addition public housing development. The first phase of the new Bradenton Village, completed in December 2002, includes 160 new units - 60 public housing units and 100 affordable housing units.

Last month HACB was awarded its second HOPE VI grant for $1,822,456 to redevelop the Zoller public housing apartments. The funding will be used to demolish and replace the existing 19 housing units. In addition to replacing the existing units, an additional 11 affordable units will be constructed. There will also be a community center that will offer a variety of activities for the residents.

Bradenton was selected from a pool of 58 applications HUD received for the 2002 HOPE VI Revitalization funding. Cities were competitively selected with an emphasis on the effectiveness and project readiness of their public housing revitalization plans. HUD policy provides local housing authorities the flexibility to develop revitalization plans that meet their own special needs.

As part of today's award, HUD will pay relocation costs for residents being displaced by the revitalization effort. Relocated residents who meet program requirements will be given the opportunity to move back to the newly constructed units at the site. Alternatively, if residents choose not to return to public housing, they will be given vouchers to subsidize their rents in privately owned apartments. In addition, relocated residents receiving vouchers will be provided with the same job training and services offered to people living in the revitalized development.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet.

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