Community Services Block Grant Program Draft Plan Open for Public Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW CARROLLTON, Md. (August 15, 2016) – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is announcing the state’s draft plan for the distribution of approximately $9.7 million in federal funds under the Community Services Block Grant Program for federal fiscal year 2017.

The block grant funds, originally authorized under the Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, will be distributed to local agencies across the state to finance numerous programs for low-income persons. Per federal statute, 90 percent of the funds will be distributed to local community action agencies throughout Maryland.

“The Community Action Agencies are the frontline providers of assistance to low-income families across the state, providing a wide range of services,” said Secretary Kenneth C. Holt.

Originally part of the nation’s War on Poverty, the community action agencies have used federal funds since 1964 to develop programs designed to ameliorate the causes of poverty in local areas. In Maryland, these programs have included Head Start educational centers of young children; health, employment, housing and weatherization programs for adults; and other special programs for young persons and the elderly.

The department will hold a public hearing on Thursday, August 18, 2016, at 10 a.m. at the Maryland Department of Transportation, 7201 Corporate Center Drive, Hanover, Maryland. Copies of the plan are available for review at 7800 Harkins Rd, Lanham, Maryland, or here. Persons wishing to provide written comment on the state plan may do so by sending a letter addressed to Michelle Bass, Project Manager, Office of Community Programs, Department of Housing and Community Development, 7800 Harkins Road, MD, 20706, or via email at michelle.bass@maryland.gov. All comments must be received by close of business on Friday, August 26, 2016.

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CONTACT: Sara Luell, Director of Communications, sara.luell@maryland.gov, 301-429-7803