WASHINGTON – A record number of local homeless programs across America will receive an unprecedented $1.5 billion in Continuum of Care grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This historic-level funding will offer transitional and permanent supportive housing to more than 168,000 homeless individuals and families. For a detailed local summary of the projects awarded funding, visit HUD’s website.

I would like to personally thank the members of the City Council, Mayor Nagin, the public housing residents, and all those who support this common sense effort to build a better future for New Orleans. Today’s vote is a victory for the residents of New Orleans who deserve to live in a socially and economically integrated environment where their children can play safely and families can thrive. We recognize there is a tremendous need for affordable housing throughout the Crescent City and are deeply committed to ensuring that everyone who resided in public housing prior to Hurricane Katrina has the opportunity to return to something better than they left.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced a $170,000 settlement with managers of a St. Louis apartment complex for alleged violations of the Fair Housing Act. HUD claimed the mangers of the Ridge Crest Apartments subjected seven families with children to stricter community rules than residents without children.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) has signed a Voluntarily Compliance Agreement that will make 263 public housing units fully accessible for residents and applicants with disabilities.

I applaud the Senate’s overwhelming passage today of an FHA Modernization bill that will provide hundreds of thousands of hard working American families a safer mortgage option — whether they’re looking to purchase a home or refinance an existing mortgage.  HUD’s Federal Housing Administration can provide many homeowners with a fairer, more affordable, and more sustainable alternative to costly subprime loans.  I especially appreciate the bipartisan leadership of Senators Chris Dodd and Mel Martinez in our effort to reform FHA.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson today sent a letter to New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin explaining the future of affordable housing in New Orleans would be severely impacted if the City Council does not overturn the Historic Conservation District Review Committee’s (HCDRC) rejection of a plan to redevelop the Lafitte housing project.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $59,115,226 million to hundreds of public housing agencies (PHAs) across the nation to help low-income individuals get job training and employment placement.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to certain flood-ravaged counties in Washington State and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following severe storms, landslides, and mudslides.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to certain flood-ravaged counties in Oregon and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following severe storms, landslides, and mudslides.