The Housing Authority will receive $268,766 as part of over $40 million for public housing improvements in Washington state.
Housing Authority Executive Director Tee McCallum the city didn't request the money, but will put it to good use. She said the money will go towards the renovation of an older Housing Authority project. She said Site 1, located at 508 Sixth St. and 511 T Ave., is a rundown 14-unit building badly in need of renovation. Renovation of Site 1 has been on hold for lack of enough funds. "Now, we'll be able to get work started," McCallum said.
The Anacortes Housing Authority manages about 200 units, of which 112 are public housing.
The funding is part of $3 billion included in the Recovery Act for public housing improvement projects. Funding provided through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Public Housing Capitol Fund Program will go directly to local housing authorities.
Senator Patty Murray made the annoucement Tuesday morning, saying "This will be a shot in the arm for communities throughout our state. In the face of an ongoing recession, this funding will help create local jobs, provide better and more affordable housing, and help struggling families meet their most basic needs .”
Murray is chairman of the Senate Housing Appropriations Subcommittee.