The city of Springfield could soon receive nearly $1.5 million to help improve homes and economic development through the capital city, thanks to community block grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, but it’s less than has been received in the past.
An ordinance up for consideration for the Springfield City Council would approve the block grant funds from HUD and also Home Investment Partnership Funds.
The money would be used to improve housing and economic activity throughout the community, according to Mike Farmer, the Director of Economic Development. He says there are many things the funds will be used for.
Farmer says that people interested in receiving funds for improvements should contact his office for eligibility requirements.
This is an annual allocation of HUD funds that is based on a formula of population and poverty rates.
Farmer says that the annual amount has gone down over the past few years because of economic pressures in Washington D.C.
In a separate ordinance, several grants, totally nearly $138,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice, would go to Springfield Police.
The funds would be used to purchase fully equipped squad cars.
