Rep. Sutton Announces $5,062,162 to Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority to Improve Public Housing for Seniors, Disabled

Washington, D.C. – September 25, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH) announced that the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority has been awarded a $5,062,162 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Funding from this grant will be used to make necessary improvements to the Allen Dickson Senior Apartments, a complex in Barberton that is comprised of seniors and individuals with disabilities. 

“This important funding will have a direct impact on the wellbeing of our seniors and persons with disabilities.  It will also create much-needed job opportunities and will put people back to work. The funding will improve the energy efficiency of the building and enhance the quality of life for its residents.  It’s good to see this kind of investment in our community,” Rep. Sutton said.

Funding from this grant will be used to renovate the building, including updating the electrical system, lobby, kitchens, bathrooms, and floors among other things.

“This is great news from Congresswoman Sutton that we are very happy to hear. Our residents know we filled out the application to receive this funding, but they will be absolutely thrilled when they find out we were awarded the grant,” said Tony O’Leary, the Executive Director of the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority.

O’Leary estimated that the project will employ at least 80 to 100 people throughout the course of the renovation.

“All the work will be done by local trade people and contractors,” O’Leary said. “Economists did a study that showed that every capital dollar given to a housing authority is multiplied in the local economy about 2.1 times, so this $5 million will result in an excess of $10 million that will rebound in our local community.”

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan awarded $95 million in competitive grants to 44 public housing authorities throughout the country. The funding is awarded out of the Public Housing Capital Funds account and are the last round of competitive funding available to public housing authorities through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Public housing authorities across the nation have received nearly $4 billion in funding through the Recovery Act to modernize public housing, enhance energy efficiency and create jobs, among other activities.

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Contact: Maureen Shanahan at 202-225-3401 or maureen.shanahan (at) mail.house (dot) gov