Congressman Al Green and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan Get First Hand Look at the Success of the Recovery Act in Houston

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By Congressman Al Green -

Houston, TX – August 3, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Al Green (TX-09) accompanied Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Shaun Donovan, as he visited Houston to take a first-hand look at the successful results of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) in the fourth largest city in the United States.

Secretary Donovan and Congressman Al Green, along with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), toured the construction site for Kennedy Village, a new affordable housing development that is currently being built using $7.8 million from ARRA. This project is employing 37 people and will provide 108 affordable homes.

“Thanks to funds from the Recovery Act, HUD is making a $13.6 billion investment to build and rehabilitate homes nationwide and this is just one of the tens of thousands of projects that are getting underway. The Recovery Act is benefitting Texas and proof of it is the fact that it has generated 225,000 jobs in our state,” said the Congressman. He added it is estimated that, by the end of 2010, ARRA will have created 3.5 million jobs.

Congressman Al Green stated that thanks to the actions of the 111th Congress HUD’s budget for FY 2010 increased by 9 percent over FY 2009. He also stressed that, according to HUD, nearly two thirds of the funds used to rehabilitate homes are being invested in neighborhoods with median incomes under $30,000. In addition, $4 billion that were provided to over 3,000 public housing authorities from across the country are being used for public housing developments.

“These funds are allowing local housing authorities to redevelop and renovate communities that were in desperate need of rehabilitation and subsequently are giving them the tools they need to weatherize and make these homes more energy efficient,” said the Congressman. He also indicated that the American Clean Energy and Security Act includes provisions to further the implementation of environmentally sound programs regarding the building and rehabilitating of public and assisted housing.

Congressman Al Green also emphasized that funding under ARRA established $2 billion in funds for Neighborhood Stabilization programs. He expressed his firm support for the Administration’s ‘Transforming Rental Assistance Initiative’, which focuses on assisting families who live in the poorest communities. According to Secretary Donovan, this program would create 1,600 jobs in Houston.

David Mincberg, Chairman of Houston Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners, and James Noteware, Director of Housing and Community Development for the City of Houston, also joined Secretary Donovan and Representatives Green and Jackson Lee in their tour of Kennedy Village.

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Alvaro ‘Al’ Ortiz
Press Secretary
Congressman Al Green, 9th District-Texas
United States House of Representatives
3003 South Loop West, Suite 460
Houston, TX 77054
Office Phone: 713-383-9321
Cellular Phone: 202-527-1109
Fax: 713-383-9202
Email: Alvaro.Ortiz (at) mail.house (dot) gov

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Congressman Al Green
http://www.house.gov/algreen/

On January 4, 2007 U.S. Representative Al Green took the oath of office to serve the people of Texas’ 9th Congressional District and began his second term in the United States House of Representatives. As a veteran civil rights advocate, he has dedicated his life to fighting for those in society whose voices, too often, are not heard.

Congressman Green’s chief legislative priority for the 110th Congress is creating a Federal Living Wage. As the Democratic Whip for Region 6 and one of the newest members of the Committee on Homeland Security, Green is dedicated to increasing U.S. port and border security and reducing chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. He also serves on the Financial Services Committee where he continues his fight to eliminate insurance, housing and lender practices that have historically victimized low and moderate income communities. Additionally, Congressman Green remains committed to increasing the levels affordable housing and ensuring that every American realizes the dream of homeownership.

Contact:

Alvaro 'Al' Ortiz (Press Secretary)
Office Phone: (713) 383 9234 Ext. 111
Cell Phone: (832) 606 5869

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