Amata Welcomes $800,000 HUD Grant from CARES Act
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming a CARES Act grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of about $800,000 ($796,914) for housing-related programs.
HUD, led by Secretary Dr. Ben Carson, has now announced several CARES Act allocations for American Samoa and was the first agency to do so immediately after the CARES Act became law March 27.
"We appreciate this federal assistance, and the ongoing financial impact of the CARES Act and other economic relief on our islands," said Aumua Amata. "Thank you to President Trump and Dr. Carson as they continue to send these funds toward our local needs."
Congresswoman Amata and HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson (file photo)
Specifically, these HUD funds are part of the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) CARES Act awards. This funding will support families and individuals who have been affected by COVID-19, and is distributed by the state or territory, in this case, American Samoa Government.
Under this program, which is focused on homelessness programs, including sheltered homeless, these ESG-CV funds are to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) among individuals and families who qualify to receive such assistance. The funds will also support additional assistance and prevention activities to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. The national allocation of $2.96 billion uses a formula targeted toward communities with high fractions of homeless – both sheltered and unsheltered – and those at the most risk. It also takes into account the economic and housing factors.
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