In order to enhance services to public housing residents, Secretary Martinez has signed a Memorandum of Understanding that transfers authority of five public housing developments from the Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration to those localities.
Unlike the rest of the United States, where public housing is administered in part by local governments, in Puerto Rico all public housing was managed at the Commonwealth level.
"Today's historic signing marks a new day in the management and operations of public housing developments in these communities," said Martinez at a signing ceremony on February 28th at the Los Alamos public housing development. "We've accomplished what many said would be impossible, but everyone remained focused on the goal of helping people and this MOU is a product of that good will."
The participating municipalities already administer HUD's Section 8 rental assistance program, and will manage all operations of certain developments on behalf of the Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration (PRPHA). They also will assume responsibility for modernization, demolition, development and homeownership opportunities.
The municipalities and the PRPHA will sign individual contracts for the operation of this pilot program. They will assume control from private contractors, who currently manage the developments for the PRPHA. PRPHA will provide the necessary resources - financial and otherwise - to the municipalities to manage the five developments.
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