HUD AWARDS $448,915 TO PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCIES IN RHODE ISLAND TO PROTECT RENTAL ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS
Added funding will keep approximately 56 families in affordable housing

"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 the following four categories:

Category (1): to adjust the allocations for agencies that experienced a significant increase in renewal costs
of rental assistance resulting from unforeseen circumstances or from families moving to higher cost areas

Category (2): for adjustment for agencies with voucher leasing rates at the end of 2009 that exceed the
average leasing for federal fiscal year 2009 12-month period used to establish the allocation;

Category (3): for adjustments for the costs associated with Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
vouchers; and

Category (4): for vouchers that were not in use during the Federal fiscal year 12- month period in order
to be available to meet a commitment for project-based voucher assistance.

HUD reviewed approximately 1,000 submissions from agencies across the U.S. and awarded funding based on HUD's categories. 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.

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