WASHINGTON DC – In an effort to ensure families, seniors, and vulnerable citizens have access to safe, quality housing, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced that twenty-five Rhode Island cities and towns, home to more than 9,400 public housing households, will receive nearly $12.9 million in federal funding to develop, finance, and modernize public housing in their communities.  The grants are awarded to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Public Housing Capital Fund Program.

“This federal funding will help Rhode Island housing authorities preserve affordable housing, build stronger neighborhoods, and put more contractors to work making necessary repairs,” said Reed, the top Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees the program.  “It is important that we do everything we can to reduce poverty and homelessness and help local housing agencies make much-needed improvements to preserve their aging housing stock.”

As the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Senator Reed included $1.9 billion for the Public Housing Capital Fund and $4.5 billion for the Public Housing Operating Fund in the 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill for a combined $6.4 billion in resources to support the operation and capital management of the nation’s public housing stock.  This funding level ensures PHAs can take the necessary steps to protect residents from living in unsafe, inaccessible, and unsecure homes.

Local housing agencies can use Public Housing Capital Fund resources to make a broad array of capital improvements: from addressing deferred maintenance to the replacement of obsolete utility systems and dwelling equipment.  This funding is also used to improve the security and safety of public housing residents.

Public housing is essential, providing affordable housing to approximately 1.1 million low-income, disabled, senior citizens and families throughout the country. The Public Housing Capital Fund enables housing agencies to maintain, improve, and preserve this housing stock, to ensure units are not deemed unlivable and families are not displaced.

“Lack of affordable housing is an issue in communities across the state and the nation.  This funding allows housing agencies to make critical improvements that help ensure Rhode Islanders have access to a safe, secure, decent, and affordable place to live and an opportunity to build a better life,” said Reed.

Public Housing Agencies in the following cities and towns will receive funding:

Bristol: $199,969

Burrillville: $98,832

Central Falls: $399,295

Coventry: $190,784

Cranston: $667,545

Cumberland: $155,623

East Greenwich: $38,777

East Providence: $514,486

Jamestown: $29,541

Johnston: $160,954

Lincoln: $289,315

Narragansett: $16,232

Newport: $1,643,455

North Providence: $138,532

Pawtucket: $1,460,019

Portsmouth: $44,409

Providence: $3,600,004

Smithfield: $60,435

South Kingstown: $108,488

Tiverton: $52,711

Warren: $152,791

Warwick: $558,164

Westerly: $130,642

West Warwick: $252,632

Woonsocket: $1,890,156

 

Total: $12,853,791

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