South Jersey Housing Authorities to Receive $5.58 Million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Haddon Heights, NJ - Today, Congressman Andrews announced that the First Congressional District of New Jersey will receive over $5.58 Million in economic stimulus funding to improve South Jersey's housing authorities. Congressman Andrews supported this funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is designed to finance capital expenditures used to modernize and repair America's public housing facilities. The total capital fund expenditure of $3 billion is expected to create thousands of construction jobs throughout America, while tens of thousands of public housing units throughout the United States will be improved.

Among those receiving this increase in federal funding are: Camden City ($4,205,921), Glassboro ($281,360), Haddon Township ($130,199), Clementon ($99,241 784), Collingswood ($125,522), Gloucester County ($565,547), and Gloucester City ($172,927).

Congressman Andrews hosted a conference call with the directors of these area housing authorities to inform them of their increase in funding and listen to their plans for prioritizing this money. While some planned on improving their infrastructure, through repaving their parking lots and fixing their elevators, others indicated the need to make their facilities more energy efficient through installing new heaters and insulated windows. In light of our country's increasing economic concerns, the Congressman joined the directors in recognizing the overwhelming economic benefits of this funding.

"The increase in capital expenditures will put a couple hundred people to work in South Jersey and provide much-needed relief to the housing authorities' already overstretched budget," Andrews said to a group of public housing directors. The Congressman informed the directors that "housing authorities can expect this money to be available as soon as late March."

While many public housing facilities have been forced to put off necessary repairs and even reduce their staff, this funding allows many housing authorities to finance their construction projects without putting a strain on their current operating costs. As our country faces its highest unemployment rate in 16 years, Congressman Andrews continues to support key legislation that helps families withstand the tight job market by supporting projects that will put more Americans to work and help preserve the jobs that may otherwise be at stake.

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