HUD AWARDS ALBANY HOUSING AUTHORITY NEARLY $5 MILLION TO CREATE EDUCATION CENTER FOR CHILDREN

NEW YORK - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development just awarded the Albany Housing Authority $4,983,822 to create an early childhood education and adult training facility for its public housing residents. The funding is part of nearly $34 million in grants awarded nationwide that will be used as seed money. Nine other public housing authorities were awarded the funding, with the Camden Housing Authority being the only other agency in the New York/New Jersey region.

"As President Obama has said, if America is to win the future, we need to out-educate the rest of the world," said Regional Administrator Adolfo Carrión. "This funding helps public housing agencies that want to provide these services but lacked the resources. This is an investment to make certain we connect affordable housing with quality education and training resources."

The Albany Housing Authority will use the funding to construct a two-story building located on housing authority property. When completed, the building will contain 12,200 square feet, and provide early education, adult education, and job training. Partners included in the project include the Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, Hudson Valley Community College, and the Albany Community Partnership.

Said Gerald D. Jennings, Mayor, "This is a momentous occasion for the City of Albany and especially the residents of the SouthEnd. The creation of the Capital South Plan and our ongoing partnerships at the local, state and federal levels are what made Albany's a winning proposal. It confirms my belief that we can accomplish great things by working together as a city. The Capital South Campus Center will serve as a beacon, leading those most in need toward higher education, employment and a brighter future."

HUD's Capital Fund Education and Training Community Facilities (CFCF) Program provides funding to public housing authorities for the construction, rehabilitation, or purchase of facilities that will offer early childhood education, adult education and job training programs. It is designed primarily for public housing residents, but can be utilized by residents in the surrounding community. The purpose of the facilities is to offer comprehensive, integrated education and employment services to help public housing residents achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency.

HUD required successful applicants to illustrate their ability to get firm financial commitments of at least 5 percent to leverage the HUD grant. The applicants were also required to identify at least one education and/or training supportive service provider, such as a community college, that would partner with the housing authority to provide education and employment services at the facility. All of the grantees surpassed this requirement by forming partnerships with many local organizations in the community.

I. David Swawite, President and CEO of Omni Development Company, a partner with the City of Albany, the Albany Housing Authority, and HUD in the creation this Education and Facility in the Southend, said, "The HUD Grant makes this facility possible and demonstrates the forward thinking approach to neighborhood revitalization by HUD and the City and reinforces Omni's and the Housing Authority's efforts to recreate a sound living and working environment in the Historic Southend."

Darryl C. Towns, Commissioner/CEO of NY State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) another partner in this exciting endeavor, said "The Capital South Campus Center will complement 95 HCR-financed, affordable apartments that are nearing completion and transform Albany's South End. By combining a hub for adult education, child care, and youth programs with high quality homes that people can afford, HUD, the Albany Housing Authority, Mayor Jennings, and HCR are partnering to not only revitalize a historic community in our State's capital city, but offer hope and a brighter future for families. This is the type of mixed use, forward-thinking revitalization effort that Governor Cuomo and HCR are committed to developing in cities, towns, and villages across New York State."

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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.