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City To Assess Block Grant Needs, Flow

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

cwade@tampatrib.com

Published: February 18, 2009

Updated: 02/18/2009 12:33 am

TAMPA - The city received more than $5.2 million in 2008 from the federal government for community development block grants, money made available to local nonprofit organizations for building more affordable housing and creating employment programs.

This year, it's anyone's guess how much money Tampa will get.

"We're hoping that with the new administration, our funding this year will be the same if not a little more," said Jim Stefan, the city's budget director. "But we just don't know."

That's something city officials hope to figure out in coming months as they begin reviewing funding requests from nonprofit groups.

Community development block grants are given to cities every year. Municipalities such as Tampa can use the money any way they wish as long as it primarily helps lower-income residents.

The money is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"There's been a lot of demand for these grants, and we expect the same this year," said Cynthia Miller, the city's director of growth management and development services.

Tampa also expects to receive HUD funding this year for the Home Investment Partnerships and the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS programs. In 2008, the city doled out about $6.3 million from those federally administered programs.

Money also will be available from the state-run SHIP program, which helps local governments create affordable housing options for low-income people.
Tampa officials will hold a public hearing Feb. 26 to discuss how much money might be allocated for the city and which nonprofit organizations have requested funding.

The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. at city hall, 306 E. Jackson St.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679.

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