After investing nearly $1.6 million in federal funds to assist needy residents during the most recent program year, Henry County officials have submitted the required documentation to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development outlining where and how this money was spent.
The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted at its September 20 regular meeting to authorize the submittal of the report regarding its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The vote came after a public hearing, another requirement of the federal government for participation.
Sixteen households and more than 29,000 residents were served during the program year, according to officials who updated the commissioners on the program. As noted in the report, particular emphasis was given to services for those with extremely low income as well as those with special needs. The majority of grants were invested in partnership with local organizations through assistance to established non-profit agencies.
Officials said projects were initiated with ten different agencies, through which the county was able to help food banks, homeless shelters, subsistence payment programs, and youth services.
Working with A Friend’s House, Inc. and Haven House, the county provided housing assistance to 1,566 homeless people. In collaboration with Africa’s Children’s Fund and Connecting Henry, 426 households received aid with support.
Public facilities and infrastructure improvements were also a major line item. This includes the Smith Barnes Sewer Basin Improvements, Greenview Homes Sewer Improvements, City of McDonough Sidewalk Improvements, City of Hampton Sidewalk and Street Improvements, and Public Housing Unit Modernization activities with the Hampton and McDonough Housing Authorities.
Having heard the presentation the Board voted unanimously to send the report forward to HUD. Copies of the FY 2021 CAPER are available at public facilities across the County as well as online at http://www.co.henry.ga.us/Departments/A-C/Community-Development.
