Maryland communities will receive $6.8 million to combat the damage that foreclosures have wreaked in neighborhoods, the federal government said Wednesday.

The grants are part of $970 million the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is handing out nationally in the third round of its Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Communities can use the money to acquire foreclosed homes and either fix them up or raze them.

About a quarter of Maryland's funding is earmarked for Prince George's County, which has been hit particularly hard by foreclosures.

jamie.smith.hopkins@baltsun.com

http://twitter.com/realestatewonk