HUD AWARDS FUNDING TO THE WESTBROOK HOUSING AUTHORITY TO SUPPORT EMERGENCY, SAFETY AND SECURITY NEEDS IN PUBLIC HOUSING

BOSTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $38,000 to the Westbrook Housing Authority to address emergency, safety and security needs at its public housing properties, including measures necessary to fight crime and drug  activities.

The Westbrook Housing Authority will use the $38,000 funding to purchase security cameras and upgrade exterior lighting at the Riverview Terrace and Larrabee Woods developments to improve security and monitoring.

"These much needed resources will be used to help Westbrook families living in public housing feel safer and more secure in their community," said Barbara Fields, HUD New England Regional Administrator.

Nationally, HUD is providing $2.9 million to 15 public housing authorities across the U.S. to support emergency, safety and security needs from HUD's Capital Fund Emergency Safety and Security Program. Safety and security emergencies include sudden increases in threat levels that pose a risk to the health and safety of public housing residents due to violent crimes or property related crimes within the public housing community.

This funding may be used to install, repair, or replace capital needs items, including, but not limited to, security systems/surveillance cameras, fencing, lighting systems, emergency alarm systems, window bars, deadbolt locks and doors.

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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 asa 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 at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.