HUD SECRETARY SHAUN DONOVAN ANNOUNCES THAT 100 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN WICHITA WILL BECOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT AS A RESULT OF MORE THAN $1.4 MILLION RECOVERY ACT GREEN RETROFIT AWARD
Award will create green jobs and reduce energy costs

KANSAS CITY, KS - U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced earlier this week that The Timbers affordable housing development in Wichita has been awarded more than $1.4 million to complete energy efficient renovations with Recovery Act funds. These renovations will not only generate many necessary upgrades to the 100 units of affordable housing at The Timbers, but it will also create jobs and save
money for the residents.

This announcement is part of a major, national Recovery Act milestone: 100 affordable housing developments, including 8,112 homes, around the country have been awarded more than $100 million to complete energy efficient renovations with Recovery Act funds. A complete list of Recovery Act Green Retrofit Program awards issued can be viewed on HUD's website.

The awards are part of HUD's Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing, created for the first time through the Recovery Act. The Green Retrofit Program is providing $250 million nationally to reduce energy costs, cut water consumption, and improve indoor air quality. The remaining awards will be made on a rolling basis from now through September 30, 2010.

"I am proud to announce this Recovery Act funding in Wichita because it is an example of HUD's ongoing commitment to creating jobs while also building sustainable homes and communities," said Secretary Donovan. "The Green Retrofit Program is just one example of how the Recovery Act is making a long-term impact on American families and communities by reducing energy costs, creating quality green jobs and improving the quality of life for people in Wichita and across the country."

The Green Retrofit Program award will fund significant HVAC system upgrades at The Timbers as well as windows, doors, insulation, exhaust fans and appliances. These improvements will provide a more energy efficient and comfortable property for the residents.

The Green Retrofit Program is designed to create thousands of green jobs as workers retrofit older federally assisted multi-family apartment developments with the next generation of energy efficient technologies. Grants and loans provided through this program help private landlords and property management companies to cut heating and air conditioning costs by installing more efficient heating and cooling systems, and to reduce water use by replacing faucets and toilets. These Recovery Act funds also produce other environmental benefits by encouraging the use of recycled building materials, reflective roofing, and non-toxic products to reduce potentially harmful 'off-gassing' of harmful fumes. Funds are awarded to owners of HUD-assisted housing projects and can be used for a wide range of retrofit activities, ranging from windows/doors to solar panels and geothermal installation.

The Recovery Act included $13.61 billion for projects and programs administered by HUD, nearly 75 percent of which was allocated to state and local recipients only eight days after President Obama signed the Act into law. The remaining 25 percent is being awarded through competitive grant programs, including the Green Retrofit Program. To date, over 99 percent of HUD's Recovery Act funds are in the hands of local communities, being used to improve housing and neighborhoods, while creating jobs. HUD is committed to implementing Recovery Act investments swiftly and effectively as they generate tens of thousands of jobs, modernize homes to make them energy efficient, and
help the families and communities hardest hit by the economic crisis.

In addition, Secretary Donovan and the Department are committed to providing the highest level of transparency possible as Recovery Act funds are administered. It is vitally important that the American people are fully aware of how their tax dollars are being spent and can hold their federal leaders accountable. Every dollar of Recovery Act funds HUD spends can be reviewed and tracked at HUD's Recovery Act website. The full text of HUD's funding
notices and tracking of future performance of these grants is also available at HUD's Recovery Act website.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.