Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson Thursday handed a large novelty check to Flint Mayor Karen Weaver.
The amount written on the check was anything but a novelty: $30 million.
Flint is one of five cities receiving money through the HUD Choice Neighborhoods grant program. The money is earmarked to replace decaying public housing in the city.
The grant will pay for relocating families from Flint’s Atherton Eastapartment complex to two new mixed-income developments.
The first phase of the project is slated to begin next Spring.
Carson praised Flint’s efforts to reinvent itself.
“Flint refuses to be defined by others. Rather, it is known for its initiative and innovation,” said Carson.
Carson says the federal grant money will help the city leverage another $271 million in additional funding.
