Newton Receives Nearly $4.2M for Economic and Community Development

After Mayor Setti Warren and U.S. Rep. Barney Frank , it seems the message got through.

According to a press release issued Tuesday by U.S. Rep. Edward Markey's office, Newton will be receiving nearly $4.2 million in federal assistance from the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. More than $2 million will come in the form in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and another $2 million will come through as HOME funding.

"Community Development Block Grants play a critical role in supporting important programs in communities throughout the country. I have seen firsthand the positive impact that CDBG funds have had," Warren said in an emailed statement. "I am grateful for the funding Newton has received, but disappointed that Newton and communities across the country saw cuts in CDBG funding. At a time when our economy is only just beginning to recover, CDBG funds not only add to the vitality of communities, but also play an essential role in creating new jobs.”

Newton will also receive roughly $100,000 in funding from the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) program.

Along with Markey and Frank, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch as well as U.S. Senators Scott Brown and John Kerry made the announcement that Massachusetts will receive $12.4 million total in funding from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 

“I’m pleased that these funds will go to our cities to help them deal with the problems they face, but I regret that our country is currently giving more to cities in Afghanistan and Iraq with much less return. I will continue to work to reverse that ratio,” Rep. Frank said in the press release. 

Earlier this year, Warren and Frank , a project that was made possible by CDBG funds. 

HUD is awarding the money to support economic development projects, increase affordable housing opportunities, improve area homeless shelters and expand foreclosure and scam prevention services for homeowners across the state, the press release said. 

The $12.4 million was disbursed amongst many towns and through many different programs including CDBG, ESG, the HOME Initiative and the Mortgage Modification and Mortgage Scam Assistance program. Other towns receiving funding included Waltham, Westfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Northampton, Revere, Weymouth and Yarmouth.