Shaun Donovan, secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), on Thursday awarded $1.7 billion for major improvements to the nation’s 1.2 million public housing units.
The awards, provided through HUD’s Capital Fund Program, spanned public housing authorities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Funding is used to do housing improvements such as new roofs or energy-effiecient upgrades to replace old plumbing and electrical systems. Eligible uses for funding include development, financing, and modernization of the units, along with management improvements at the public housing authority.
“This funding is critical for housing authorities to maintain and improve public housing conditions for their residents,” said Donovan in a statement. “However, with a significant repair backlog, I am encouraged by new, innovative long-term solutions HUD is exploring that can be combined with this funding to not only protect and preserve this housing for the next generation, but to also build the quality infrastructure necessary for families to thrive.”
Grants through the Capital Fund Program are awarded each year to the nation’s approximately 3,100 public housing formula. The awards are determined using a formula that considers the number, type, and age of units in a given community.
States with the largest public housing authority awards include New York ($307 million), Illinois ($119.8 million), and Pennsylvania ($117.4 million). Funding by public housing authority can be viewed here.
Written by Alyssa Gerace
