WICHITA FALLS HOUSING AUTHORITY RECEIVES $100,000 FROM HUD TO SUPPORT SAFETY AND SECURITY NEEDS IN PUBLIC HOUSING

FORT WORTH - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded the Wichita Falls Housing Authority a $98,879 grant to address Housing Authority safety and security needs.

"Everyone should feel safe at home and when they walk around their community," said HUD Regional Administrator Don Babers. "These grants allow public housing authorities to make necessary improvements in and around public housing buildings to ensure families who live in public housing feel safe in their homes and their immediate surroundings."

The funding comes from HUD's Capital Fund Emergency Safety and Security Program, and nationally, today's grants are providing nearly $3.8 million to 20 public housing authorities across the U.S. to support emergency, safety and security needs. 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. Last month, HUD awarded $4.1 million to 17 public housing authorities for this same purpose.

This funding may be used to install, repair, or replace items including, but not limited to, security systems/surveillance cameras, fencing, lighting systems, emergency alarm systems, window bars, deadbolt locks and doors. The Wichita Falls Housing Authority will use its funds for security cameras and lighting.

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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. 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.