WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that twenty-five Rhode Island cities and towns will receive a total of nearly $12.7 million in federal funding to develop, finance, and/or modernize public housing in their communities.  The grants are awarded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Public Housing Capital Fund Program.

“This federal funding is a smart investment in Rhode Island that will help make needed repairs to housing units throughout the state and put more contractors, plumbers, and electricians to work,” said Reed, a senior member of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. 

The Public Housing Capital Fund Program provides local housing authorities with funding for capital and management activities, including modernization and development of public housing.  Local agencies can use the funding for a broad array of improvements, from replacing roofs and windows, to enhancing electrical and plumbing systems, to improving lighting and security.

Public housing is a national asset, serving millions of low-income, disabled, senior citizens and families while stabilizing neighborhoods throughout America.  There are over 9,500 public housing units in Rhode Island.

Last year, Reed successfully included $15.1 million for Rhode Island communities through the 2010 Public Housing Capital Fund Program.  This year, Republicans sought to slash funding for the program by over $1 billion.  Ultimately, Reed helped defeat that extreme proposal and the program was funded at a total of $2 billion, $456 million less than the fiscal year 2010 level.  This level of funding resulted in a $2.4 million cut to Rhode Island public housing agencies from the previous year.

“This federal funding supports critical housing and economic development here in Rhode Island.  Times are tough, and there is simply not enough money to accomplish everything on the renovations to-do list,” said Reed.  “But this federal funding should help make the most urgent repairs and address safety and security needs at public housing properties across the state.”

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

Bristol: $198,884

Burrillville: $95,617

Central Falls: $374,584

Coventry: $209,733

Cranston: $637,544

Cumberland: $162,288

East Greenwich: $35,988

East Providence: $493,502

Jamestown: $31,841

Johnston: $183,218

Lincoln: $272,199

Narragansett: $15,647

Newport: $1,752,584

North Providence: $130,088

Pawtucket: $1,361,500

Portsmouth: $40,353

Providence: $3,544,262

Smithfield: $54,463

South Kingston: $115,007

Tiverton: $47,957

Warren: $152,754

Warwick: $499,866

West Warwick: $238,128

Westerly: $132,069

Woonsocket: $1,911,442

TOTAL: $12,691,518