Local public housing to receive $1.7M in COVID-19 relief funds

WASHINGTON – Public housing authorities and Section 8 voucher programs in the Waco-TempleKilleen area received several federal grants totaling $1,695,633 to help with coronavirus-related improvements and maintenance to local public housing programs, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn announced Monday.

The funding comes through the Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of the CARES Act, which was signed into law last month, under the Supplemental Public Housing Operating Funds program, which helps prevent, prepare, and respond to the Coronavirus Pandemic in public housing.

“The coronavirus outbreak has hit Texans hard, and as much as we can protect each other from its effects, we must,” said Cornyn. “I’m grateful to the Trump Administration for making public housing in the Waco-Temple-Killeen area an important priority during the outbreak.”

The Housing Authority of Rosebud will receive $5,899. The Housing Authority of Lott will receive $14,681. The Housing Authority of Marlin will receive $57,755.

These grants may be used for resident support services; management and operations, including staff; routine and preventative maintenance; safety and security; energy costs; insurance; debt service incurred to finance unit rehabilitation and development; planning for the longterm capital needs and viability of the properties; and other costs. Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.