WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Public housing authorities (PHAs) are spending funds received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in a timely manner to meet the capital needs of public housing, according to a new survey from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act & Public Housing: A Smart Investment in Our Economy" analyzes the use of $3 billion of Recovery Act dollars awarded on March 18, 2009 to PHAs for capital improvements of their public housing units, and was completed by more than 500 PHAs.

Recovery Act dollars are primarily intended to jumpstart the economy and to retain and create jobs. The $3 billion awarded to PHAs will also help to address an estimated $30 billion backlog of capital needs in the nation's public housing inventory due to the historic underfunding of the Public Housing Capital Fund. The Capital Fund provides funds annually by formula to PHAs for capital and management activities, including modernization and development of public housing.

NAHRO's survey results provide evidence that respondents are spending their formula-driven Recovery Act dollars well within the prescribed timelines set by the Recovery Act legislation. As of September 16, 2009, respondents had on average obligated 53 percent of their funds and spent 18.6 percent of their funds. On average, survey respondents expect all their formula dollars to be spent by June, 2010. The Recovery Act legislation requires that all funds be expended by March 17, 2012.

The survey results also illustrate the types of work PHAs are completing with their Recovery Act funding. The majority are using funds for bread-and-butter projects such as roof repairs and HVAC upgrades. Importantly, funding is also being used to make green improvements and energy-efficient upgrades to public housing, including Energy Star appliance installation such as windows, refrigerators and lighting.

As a case in point, the Wilmington (Del.) Housing Authority will be using their Recovery Act dollars for the renovation of vacant units and the demolition of obsolete units. "The stimulus funding allowed us to fast track planned vacancy reduction projects that otherwise would have not started for 2 - 3 years," said Wilmington Housing Authority Executive Director Frederick Purnell. "This in turn will allow us to immediately provide more quality units to those in need of housing in our community."

In addition to meeting the capital needs of public housing, Recovery Act dollars have also had the benefit of employing local businesses, the primary objective of the Act, including a number of women- and minority-owned businesses.. On average, participants reported that $319,339 have been dedicated to or already spent on employing local businesses, while $62,071 has been dedicated to or spent on employing women- or minority-owned businesses.

To view the entire NAHRO survey report, visit www.nahro.org/stimulus.pdf. To continue to monitor progress of Recovery Act funds for public housing and to see the full measure of activities, visit the HUD Recovery Act website at http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/RECOVERY.

About National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)- NAHRO is a leading housing and community development advocate for the provision of adequate and affordable housing and strong, viable communities--particularly those with low- and moderate-incomes. Its over 23,000 members administer HUD programs such as Public Housing, Section 8, CDBG and HOME. To learn more about NAHRO, visit www.nahro.org.

SOURCE National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.nahro.org