HUD AWARDS $916,000 TO 15 LOUISIANA PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES TO PROTECT RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS

NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced that 15 public housing authorities in Louisiana will receive a total of $916,837 to protect the rental assistance provided to families currently participating in HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Program. These agencies are among nearly 600 nationwide 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 four categories.

HUD reviewed approximately 1,000 submissions from agencies across the U.S. 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.

The Louisiana Housing Authorities that received additional funds and amounts follow:

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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 ad enforces the nation's
fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.