Newark, NJ–Thirteen Essex County municipalities and 33 nonprofit organizations will be receiving $5.1 million in funding for infrastructure improvements, community programs and building renovations, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. announced this week.

The funding comes from the Community Development Block Grant program and the Emergency Solutions Grant program, which are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development.

Newark-based recipients of the funding include Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson and Union, the Salvation Army of Newark, Wynona's House, Covenant House, NJ Citizens Action Education Fund and Bridges Outreach, as well as The North Ward Center's Casa Israel Senior Center, among others.

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Funding will go to support family counseling, youth mentoring programs, vehicle purchases, vocational training, housing and foreclosure education programs, facility renovations and senior support services.

A total of $2,980,372 was awarded to the municipalities and county programs in the Essex County consortium, with $1,728,701 awarded directly to nonprofit community organizations.

Newark, Bloomfield, East Orange and Irvington apply for CDBG funding independently and do not participate in the Essex County consortium.

“Programs supported through the CDBG and ESG programs are direct investments to provide services that enhance our quality of life and help stabilize our neighborhoods by modernizing our infrastructure and supporting programs that assist vulnerable populations,” DiVincenzo said. “These federal grants enable us to upgrade our sidewalks and roads, enhance handicap access, address mental health needs, support food pantries, and stimulate the overall development in our communities.”

A total of $416,165 was also awarded to eight local social service agencies through the Emergency Solutions Grant program which will be used to renovate shelter facilities, support housing programs and homeless prevention services and support a drop-in center.





Grants include $100,449 to the YMCA of Newark and Vicinity to support Y-Care Shelter Nights and rapid rehousing programs, with the county receiving a $31,212 grant to administer the program.

“The beauty of the CDBG and ESG programs is their ability to fund a broad array of projects without affecting the budgets of the county, municipalities or organizations receiving the grants,” said Director of Essex County Department of Economic Development, Training and Employment Anibal Ramos, who also serves as Newark's North Ward councilman. “This is a great example of a tax relief program that benefits all County citizens.”

Municipalities and nonprofit organizations must meet specific criteria established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to be eligible for grant funding.