HUD AWARDS NEARLY $245,000 TO JACKSON, MICH., HOUSING AUTHORITY TO SUPPORT EMERGENCY, SAFETY AND SECURITY NEEDS IN PUBLIC HOUSING

CHICAGO - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded yesterday $244,695 to Jackson's public housing agency to address emergency, safety and security needs at their public housing property, including measures necessary to fight crime and drug activities.

"Feeling safe in your own home is essential in any neighborhood," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "These grants allow public housing authorities to make the necessary improvement to ensure families who live in public housing feel safe in their homes and surrounding neighborhoods."

"This money will help ensure the safety and security of our public housing residents in Jackson and that's something we all value," said Antonio R. Riley, HUD's Midwest Regional Administrator.

Nationally, HUD is providing $4.1 million to 17 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 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 at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on Twitter at @HUDnews or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.