Sep. 30--With some of the highest foreclosure rates in the state, three Victor Valley cities will receive a total of nearly $13 million in federal funding to remove the blight that abandoned homes have left behind.

Apple Valley will receive $3 million, Hesperia $4.5 million and Victorville $5.3 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban D eve l o p m e n t , o r HUD.

The funding is part of nearly $4 billion HUD is allotting to local governments across the country, to stabilize neighborhoods hit hard by the foreclosure epidemic.

The cities will be able to use the grant to purchase foreclosed homes at a discount, demolish or redevelop them, or to offer down-payment assistance to low- to moderateincome home buyers.

"What we have to do now is put together a proposal on how we will spend the money," said Kathie Martin, spokeswoman for the town of Apple Valley.

Martin said the proposal is due back to HUD around December. She said the town hopes to work with neighboring cities to develop a program with similar requirements and eligibility, in order to be consistent and get the most for their money.

Yvonne Hester, spokeswoman for the city of Victorville, said city officials were surprised and thrilled to learn how much they'd be getting under the program. She said the city was granted nearly a third of what many whole states received.

Hester said there are no definite spending plans yet, but that the economic development department is doing an analysis of how the funds can do the greatest good.

The three Victor Valley cities are considered high risks for abandonment of homes, where foreclosed properties are not resold.

H e s p e r i a a n d Victorville are among the top-10 highest foreclosure rates in the state among cities eligible for the grant. Both exceed 11 percent.

Apple Valley ranked in the top 15, with more than 10 percent of homes in foreclosure.

T h o u gh Ad e l a n t o was not eligible for funding, because it is not a Community Development Block Grant entitlement community, the city may get a portion of the $22.7 million allotted to San Bernardino County or the $145 million granted to the state, according to HUD spokesman Brian Sullivan.

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