BOSTON - Senator John Kerry issued the following statement on the $26.7 million in federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) that will soon be awarded to 55 Massachusetts communities.

The federal funding will allow Massachusetts to help communities hardest hit by the foreclosure and subprime crisis to purchase foreclosed homes, at a discount, and rehabilitate or redevelop the homes to stabilize neighborhoods and stem the significant losses in home values of neighboring homes. The funds will also be used to help boost business and economic development opportunities, upgrade social services and fund various improvement projects across the state.

"For far too long the Bush Administration has been short-changing our cities and towns, making it harder for mayors across Massachusetts to help people and save neighborhoods. By investing in economic development, housing and job creation, these CDBG awards are exactly the kind of thing we should be doing when the economy takes a downturn. I am pleased that Governor Patrick has chosen such worthwhile recipients, and that Massachusetts has a Governor for our entire Commonwealth who believes in building community. I have no doubt that our communities will put this funding to good use and that it will have a positive impact on millions of lives," said Senator Kerry.

Funding for the CDBG program was included in the Housing Bill, which passed the House on Wednesday and is expected to pass the Senate Thursday. Nationwide, $3.9 billion was included for the program. Earlier this year, Senator Kerry sent a letter to Majority Leader Reid requesting the inclusion of $2 billion in additional funding for CDBG in the Housing bill.

A complete list of the communities receiving funding is available upon request.

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