Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) announced this week that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) office of Community Planning and Development has awarded the city of Auburn a grant for $478,000 to support their community development consolidated plan.

“This grant is very exciting for the city of Auburn and its citizens,” Smith said.  “The funding allows the city to solicit proposals from public and private non-profit agencies for construction or rehabilitation projects or social service programs that benefit low and very low income persons in Auburn. This is a tremendously needed boost for Auburn.”

The grant was awarded in support of Auburn’s community development Consolidated Plan which describes the city’s strategy to implement programs and activities which provide emergency shelters and transitional housing for the homeless; childcare; health care services; neighborhood revitalization; counseling for AIDS victims; removal of architectural barriers; and facility improvements.  At the same time, HUD released $32 million in funds for eligible program activities including transitional and permanent housing for the homeless and persons who area HIV positive, affordable housing, public services, and capital projects to support low and moderate income persons.