HUD ANNOUNCES $11.5M RECOVERY ACT GREEN RETROFIT AWARDS TO
HELP 797 AFFORDABLE HOMES IN MASSACHUSETTS BECOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT
Awards will create green jobs and reduce energy costs

BOSTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator Richard A. Walega announced today that six affordable housing developments, including 797 homes, throughout Massachusetts have been awarded more than $11.5 million to complete energy efficient renovations with Recovery Act funds. The announcement came at
an event with U.S. Congressman Michael Capuano and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino at Council Tower in Roxbury, which is being awarded $2,187,994 in Green Retrofit Program funds. These renovations will not only generate many necessary upgrades to thousands of affordable apartments, but they will also create jobs and save money for thousands of residents. See below for a complete list of Massachusetts awards.

"This funding is improving the quality of life for Massachusetts residents, in addition to lowering energy costs and creating quality green jobs," said HUD New England Regional Administrator Richard A. Walega.

Council Tower is a senior housing development built in 1985 in Roxbury, Mass. The renovations will enhance quality
of life for residents and increase energy efficiency. The renovations will produce approximately 15 percent savings
in utility costs and will create quality construction-related job opportunities. Retrofits will include EnergyStar refrigerators and formaldehyde-free bathroom cabinets, upgraded energy efficient lighting, energy efficient ceiling
fans and bath exhaust fans, low-flow faucet aerators, shower heads and toilets, replacement of existing flooring
with Green Label Plus recycled-content carpeting with natural rubber padding, bio-based linoleum, and the use of
non-toxic paints, adhesives and sealants throughout.

"Federal stimulus funds will go a long way toward increasing the energy efficiency of these affordable housing developments, while at the same time creating jobs and providing cost savings. Workers will have the opportunity
to enhance their skills utilizing green technologies and residents will benefit from the improvements made to their units," said Congressman Mike Capuano.

Today's 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 being issued today 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.

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.

Massachusetts Green Retrofit Awards

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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.