The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded over $34 million to three public housing agencies (PHAs) through its Capital Fund Emergency/Disaster and Safety and Security Program. The PHAs receiving these funds are Alexander County Housing Authority in Cairo, Ill., Gary Housing Authority in Gary, Ind., and New York City Housing Authority in New York, New York.
“Home hazards can manifest without warning,” HUD Secretary Ben Carson said in a release. “Because health and housing go hand in hand, it’s important to address these unexpected problems. Today’s grants are a tool for public housing agencies to make capital improvements so that all residents have a safe and secure place to call home.”
The money awarded to the PHAs is to be used to address emergencies that threaten residents’ health and safety and to secure public housing properties against crime and drug-related activities. Emergency capital can also be used to correct issues such as elevator failure, boiler failure, sewer line failure, severe electrical problems, lead-based paint hazards, carbon monoxide and radon hazards, and local building code violations. Funds can also be used to install safety and security features such as security lighting, alarm systems, or fencing.
“These grants will go a long way to helping the families that HUD serves,” Assistant Secretary Hunter Kurtz said. “They’ll help these PHAs deal with the issues that impact their residents.”