Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $5,485,535 million in funding for housing authorities throughout five counties in Central New York. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Capital Fund Program and will be used to modernize and develop public housing.
“Having a roof over your head is one of life’s basic necessities, so we must do everything we can to help provide those truly in need with a place to live. This federal funding will help support affordable housing initiatives throughout Central New York that assist needy families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities to find an affordable place to live,” said Senator Schumer.
“All New Yorkers should have a place to live that is safe and affordable,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This critical funding will help ensure Central New York families and seniors have access to safe affordable housing options and that the community’s needs are met.”
William Simmons, Executive Director of the Syracuse Housing Authority said, “This is great news! These dollars go a long way to continue to preserve Public Housing unites here in the City of Syracuse.”
“The Oneida Housing Authority is very pleased to announce our low income public housing program has been awarded a Capital Fund Program grant in the amount of $145,589. I wish to thank Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for recognizing the importance of our programs and the communities we continue to serve,” said
Robert Walters, Executive Director, Oneida Housing Authority.
“The Cortland Housing Authority is very pleased to be awarded $442,072 in a Capital Fund grant for 2015. The grant provides the Cortland Housing Authority the opportunity to repair, renovate and/or modernize the 380 Public Housing units that are located throughout Cortland County. This funding is critically important to the Cortland Housing Authority as we work to provide the best housing possible for our residents,” said Margaret Lann, Executive Director Cortland Housing Authority.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the senator for her hard work in getting this grant approved. The buildings this grant is targeted for will begin a major renovation this spring. These funds will go a long way in assisting with that project, allowing us to bring modern safe, secure and affordable housing to the senior and disabled citizens of Rome,” said Jim Baldwin, Executive Director/CEO Rome Housing Authority.
“This funding will allows us to make much needed repairs to the Olympia terrace housing complex in Auburn,” said Stephanie Hutchinson, Executive Director Auburn Housing Authority.
Funding will be used for various housing authorities throughout Central New York. Cayuga County will receive $67,657, Cortland County will receive $442,072, Oneida County will receive $ $1,775,856 and Onondaga County will receive $3,051,361.
The full list of organizations receiving funding is below:
· $67,657 for the Auburn Housing Authority in Cayuga County
· $442,072 for the Cortland Housing Authority in Cortland County
· $145,589 for the Oneida Housing Authority in Madison County
· $1,468,253 for the Utica Housing Authority and $310,603 Rome Housing Authority in Oneida County
· $3,051,361 for the Syracuse Housing Authority in Onondaga County
HUD’s Office of Capital Improvement administers the Capital Fund program, which provides funds annually public housing agencies (PHAs) across the country. PHAs may use Capital Fund grants for development, financing, modernization, and management improvements. Assistance must be used to modernize and/or develop public housing and must comply with the eligible activities of Section 9(d) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937.