Secretary Martinez Participates in March 31 Groundbreaking for Muncie Hope VI Public Housing Development

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In this picture with shovels in hand, from the left: Jerome Williams, Chairman of the Muncie Housing Authority Board, Mayor Dan Canan, Secretary Martinez, and Congressman Mike Pence

The MHA will use the HUD funding to replace the aging public housing with 62 new public housing units. Millennium Place will also include 138 rental units and 44 homes for sale.

Standing in front of the construction project, Secretary Martinez said, "Revitalizing distressed communities continues to be a priority of this administration. Muncie is one of the 28 cities that has received funding this year to revitalize neighborhoods and improve lives."

Muncie was selected from a pool of 58 applications HUD received for the 2002 funding. Cities were competitively selected with an emphasis on the effectiveness and project readiness of their public housing revitalization plans. HUD policy provides local housing authorities the flexibility to develop revitalization plans that meet their own special needs.

As part of the grant award, HUD will pay relocation costs for residents being displaced. Relocated residents who meet program requirements will get the opportunity to move back to the new units at the site. Alternatively, if residents choose not to return to public housing, they will be given vouchers to subsidize their rents in privately owned apartments. In addition, relocated residents receiving vouchers will be provided with the same job training and services offered to people living in the revitalized development.