HUD AWARDS BARTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA $500,000 MAIN STREET GRANT

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that the Bartlesville Redevelopment Trust Authority will receive a $500,000 grant to redevelop the former Washington County Memorial Hospital and build additional affordable housing units targeted to low-income residents. The grant is funded through HUD's HOPE VI MainStreet Program.

The Bartlesville Redevelopment Trust Authority and the Washington County Affordable Housing Coalition will use the funding to facilitate the redevelopment of the former Washington County Memorial Hospital. The grant will fund the development of six affordable housing units in the resulting Memorial Hospital Lofts. The hospital has fond memories for those who are Bartlesville natives, many of whom were born or had babies in the hospital. This grant will also help preserve this locally cherished property.

The former Memorial Hospital is a five-story, 52,000 square foot, historic building that opened in 1923. The hospital closed in 1992 and was deeded back to Washington County when a new hospital was built two miles east of its location.

"Linking affordable housing to healthcare is essential for families in smaller, older communities," said HUD Secretary Julián Castro. "Revitalizing the Washington County Hospital will not only create jobs, but give the residents access to doctors in their community. I'm proud that HUD can be a partner in rebuilding an area in need, while creating affordable housing and easier access to healthcare services."

The Main Street program seeks to rejuvenate older, downtown business districts while retaining the area's traditional and historic character by providing grants to smaller communities for the development of affordable housing. Such communities must have an ongoing Main Street revitalization effort. Under Main Street, obsolete commercial offices or buildings can be reconfigured into rent producing affordable housing.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and http://espanol.hud.gov.

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