Today, U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $2,180,838 in federal funding for Southern Tier housing authorities. These funds were allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Public Housing Capital Fund. Schumer and Gillibrand said this funding will help support the housing authorities in Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Otsego, Steuben, and Tompkins Counties to develop, finance, and modernize their public housing facilities for people within the community. The Senators said these public housing agencies are tasked with providing safe rental housing for low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, and this funding will allow them to improve facilities for those people in most need.
“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 the Southern Tier 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 Southern Tier families and seniors have access to safe affordable housing options and that the community’s needs are met.”
“I would like to thank both Senator Gillibrand and Senator Schumer for their continual advocacy on behalf of the Hornell Housing Authority and its residents. We are a small agency located in the Southern Tier that operates 158 elderly, disabled, and family units and serve the most vulnerable populations,” said Jason Sackett, Hornell Housing Authority Executive Director. “This funding will be critical addressing the backlog of our current capital needs, as well as ensure that the needs of those seeking affordable housing options in our area will be met for years to come.”
The following housing agencies will receive federal funding through this Capital Fund Program through HUD:
– Binghamton Housing Authority in Broome County will receive $801,115.
– Elmira Housing Authority in Chemung County will receive $516,084.
– Norwich Housing Authority in Chenango County will receive $133,778.
– Oneonta Housing Authority in Otsego County will receive $117,084.
– Hornell Housing Authority in Steuben County will receive $191,580.
– Ithaca Housing Authority in Tompkins County will receive $421,197.
HUD’s Office of Capital Improvement administers the Capital Fund program, which provides funds annually to more than 3,000 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.