News Release

HUD ANNOUNCES $8.2 MILLION RECOVERY ACT GRANT TO THE EL PASO HOUSING AUTHORITY TO CREATE GREEN PUBLIC HOUSING
Grant for Paisano complex will increase energy efficiency, reduce costs of public housing while creating green jobs

FORT WORTH - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced a $8,248,000 grant to the Housing Authority of El Paso's Paisano development to utilize green materials and technology to create public housing that conserves energy and reduces the cost of public housing. A total of $300 million in Recovery Act competitive grants were announced today to 36 public housing authorities across the country. El Paso was the only grantee in Texas.

"These grants are a perfect example of how we are using the Recovery Act to rebuild the economy by investing in new and emerging sustainable industries," said Donovan. "This Recovery Act funding will not only reduce energy costs for public housing authorities and mitigate negative environmental impacts, but will also create much-needed 'green' jobs right here in El Paso and across the country."

The Public Housing Capital Funds being awarded today are provided through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) and are specifically designated for the creation of energy efficient communities through substantial rehabilitation or new construction of public housing developments.

Activities that the grants can be used for include, but are not limited to, development of connections to neighborhoods and green space; site improvements that provide surface water management techniques that capture, retain, infiltrate and/or harvest rainfall; water conservation through the use of water-conserving appliances, fixtures and efficient irrigation; energy efficiency that meets Energy Star standards for new construction; and use of renewable energy resources.

The funding being announced today is part of $1 billion in Public Housing Capital Funds designated by the Recovery Act that are being awarded competitively. HUD accepted applications from public housing authorities between June 22 and August 18.

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.