Harder Announces More Than $5.3 Million to Promote Affordable Housing & Fight Homelessness in Modesto & Turlock

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Josh Harder announced that Modesto and Turlock will receive a total of $5,366,921 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to promote affordable housing opportunities and fight homelessness. These funds are divided into three programs and will be used to:

• Build, buy, and rehabilitate affordable housing to rent or own;
• Provide direct rental assistance to low income families; and
• Move homeless individuals off the streets and match them with critically needed services.

“I remember when it used to be $700 for a one bedroom in our community, now it's over $2,000. Housing prices are out of control and we have to do something about it,” said Rep. Harder. “That’s why I’m proud to bring home more than $5 million to support our efforts to build more houses and apartments that Valley families can actually afford while helping us combat the homelessness crisis. This is a win-win for our community.”

Read more about the three programs below:

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable urban and rural communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. 

HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME)

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) provides formula grants to states and localities that communities use – often in partnership with local nonprofit groups – to fund a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership or providing direct rental assistance to low-income people. HOME is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. The program’s flexibility allows states and local governments to use HOME funds for grants, direct loans, loan guarantees or other forms of credit enhancements, or rental assistance or security deposits.

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)

The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program provides the first response to people with a housing crisis and engages people living on the streets. ESG awards funds to over 360 urban counties, metropolitan cities, states, and territories, supporting a variety of life-saving activities such as: emergency shelter for people in crisis; street outreach and other essential services to engage people who may be living on the streets; rapid re-housing to provide time-limited permanent housing and stabilization services; and homelessness prevention for individuals and families.

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