HUD AWARDS $21,261 TO PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCIES IN KANSAS TO PROTECT RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS

KANSAS CITY, KS - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced that housing agencies in Kansas will receive $21,261 to protect the rental assistance provided to families currently participating in HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Program These agencies are among nearly 600 that will receive additional funding because they had additional leasing or experienced other unforeseen circumstances in 2009.

"All across this country, nearly 20,000 families can breathe a sigh of relief," said Donovan "This additional funding will help housing agencies to continue providing affordable housing."

The funding announced today is part of a $150 million set-aside from HUD's 2010 budget that will give public housing agencies additional funding that will help them support existing vouchers Last February HUD issued a notice informing public housing agencies that they could apply for this funding under the following four categories:

Category (1): to adjust the allocations for agencies that experienced a significant increase in renewal costs of
rental assistance resulting from unforeseen circumstances or from families moving to higher cost areas;

Category (2): for adjustment for agencies with voucher leasing rates at the end of 2009 that exceed the average leasing for federal fiscal year 2009 12-month period used to establish the allocation;

Category (3): for adjustments for the costs associated with Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers; and

Category (4): for vouchers that were not in use during the Federal fiscal year 12- month period in order to be available to meet a commitment for project-based voucher assistance.

HUD reviewed approximately 1,000 submissions from agencies across the U.S. and awarded funding based on HUD's categories Housing agencies that applied for funding will receive notifications of application status today The
Housing Choice Voucher Program is HUD's largest rental assistance program, with an $18,184,200,000 budget for 2010. The program supports approximately 2.1 million families through rental assistance payments that make housing more affordable.

###

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.