On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced it was sending almost $68 million to housing authorities across the Sunshine State to help improve public housing but states with far less people claimed more funds.
The money--which comes to $67.8 million for Florida--are part of HUD’s Capital Fund Program, which, according to the department, “offers annual funding to approximately 3,100 public housing authorities to build, repair, renovate and/or modernize the public housing in their communities" which can be used to “complete large-scale improvements such as replacing roofs or making energy-efficient upgrades to replace old plumbing and electrical systems.” More than $2.6 billion is being sent by HUD to housing authorities across the nation.
The Miami Dade Public Housing and Community Development is getting $17.3 million, making it the largest recipient of funds followed by the Jacksonville Housing Authority which is getting $5.4 million. The Orlando Housing Authority is getting $3.3 million while the Tampa Housing Authority is getting almost $3 million. More than 70 other housing authorities across the Sunshine State will also be getting funds from HUD’s Capital Fund Program.
Despite Florida being the third most populous state in the nation--and despite U.S. HUD Sec. Ben Carson having some ties to Florida and U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., leading the U.S. House Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Committee, smaller states claimed more funds.
HUD awarded housing authorities in Alabama almost $80 million while those in Georgia reeled in more than $84 million. Groups in Illinois claimed more than $143 million while those in Massachusetts took almost $81 million and those in New Jersey got more than $85 million. Housing authorities in New York got almost $600 million while those in Ohio received more than $103 million and those based in Pennsylvania were awarded almost $162 million. The Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration was awarded more than $151.5 million.
READ MORE FROM SUNSHINE STATE NEWS
HUD Sending $73 Million to Florida to Help the Homeless
Public Housing in Florida Gets Almost $50 Million in HUD Grants
