NEWARK, NJ — More than $185,000 in federal funding is headed Newark's way to help build up the city, officials said Wednesday.

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker announced that $1,776,000 in federal funding has been awarded to support NeighborWorks America organizations across New Jersey. The funds will help preserve affordable housing, revitalize neighborhoods and create jobs, the senators said in a joint statement.

In Newark, La Casa de Don Pedro Inc. will receive $185,500, the senators said. "I applaud NeighborWorks America for their efforts in empowering New Jersey residents by providing affordable housing and building strong communities," Menendez said. "When our families have quality housing, our neighborhoods are strong and our state is prosperous."

"All New Jersey families, regardless of their socioeconomic background, deserve the dignity of safe and affordable housing," Booker said. "Proven federal programs like NeighborhoodWorks America help lift up some of our most vulnerable populations, strengthen our neighborhoods, and spur economic development." NeighborWorks America is a public nonprofit organization, established by Congress in 1978 as the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. It supports and enhances a network of nearly 250 local and regional nonprofit partner NeighborWorks organizations that bring together residents, private-sector business leaders and representatives of local government to create communities of opportunity.