U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded $20 million in grant funding for housing and community development initiatives throughout Maine, according to a joint statement from their offices.

"As national housing construction hit a seventeen-year low last week, it is critical that Americans receive relief in this troubled housing market," they said in a statement. "These grants will help stabilize communities facing slumping property values, support families seeking affordable housing, and help end housing discrimination."

The funds are distributed as follows:

•$19.6 million to the Maine State Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Provided by HUD's Community Development Block Grant Program, this Neighborhood Stabilization Program award will help Maine redevelop and stabilize communities with declining house values. The program will allow the state to purchase abandoned or foreclosed homes and renovate or resell the property in order to bring stability to local housing markets.

•$125,000 to the Maine State Housing Authority. As part of HUD's Housing Counseling Program, this grant will provide a variety of support services to home buyers, homeowners, low- to moderate-income renters, and the homeless. The program aims to expand access to affordable housing and advise homeowners on how to avoid foreclosure.

•$37,116 to Tedford Housing. Also funded through HUD's Housing Counseling Program, this grant will help Mainers acquire quality, affordable housing through counseling and guidance services.

•$275,000 to Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc. This Fair Housing Initiatives Program award will help Maine increase compliance with the Fair Housing Act and will expand availability of affordable housing to help fight housing discrimination.