Funds to boost housing

$67M spread across upstate N.Y.

TROY, N.Y. » Local housing authorities are getting millions of dollars in grant funds as part of a $67 million sum awarded to housing groups across upstate New York.

The offices of Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U. S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand jointly announced Friday that about $67.07 million would be going towards public housing groups to pay for development and improvement.

The money is from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Public Housing Capital Fund.

“Having a roof over your head is one of life’s basic necessities, and we must do everything we can to help provide those truly in need with a decent and affordable place to live,” said Schumer in a release. “This federal investment will help support affordable housing initiatives throughout Upstate New York that assist families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities to find an affordable place to live.”

The money will preserve and improve affordable housing options to those in upstate New York, said Gillibrand.

“With these investments, local housing authorities will be able

to help modernize public housing as well as provide programs to help lowincome residents achieve greater economic security,”

she said.

The fund provides money to housing authorities for capital management activities such as “development,

financing, and modernization of public housing projects,” according to the release. “These projects can include redesigning, recon-

structing, and reconfiguring public housing sites and buildings; addressing safety code compliance needs; replacing obsolete

utility systems and dwelling equipment; and investing in resident programs that help improve economic empowerment.”