Duckworth, Durbin Secure $150 Million Funding to Support Housing Initiatives Across Illinois

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PLEASE: May 13, 2024

Contact:  Laura Snyder, CEO, Rockford Housing Authority 

815-489-8570

Rockford Housing Authority to Receive $6.1 Million for Renovation and Modernization Projects

ROCKFORD, IL – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a significant allocation of $150,346,316 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Capital Fund Program. This federal initiative aims to bolster housing infrastructure and support communities in their efforts to provide safe and modern housing options for residents in need.

The Capital Fund Program, administered by HUD, annually provides vital funding to approximately 3,200 public housing agencies (PHAs) nationwide. These funds are earmarked for various purposes including development, financing, modernization, and management improvements of public housing facilities.

Senator Duckworth emphasized the importance of accessible and secure public housing, stating, “Access to safe and dependable public housing is critically important for families all across Illinois. Along with Senator Durbin, I’m proud to advocate for federal funding that helps ensure local housing authorities have the resources they need to support and update the facilities in their communities and support residents in need.”

Echoing her sentiments, Senator Durbin emphasized the role of public housing authorities in community stabilization, saying, “A thriving community begins with a safe and secure place to call home. Public housing authorities are the instruments of change that help stabilize neighborhoods that have weathered storms of neglect, providing residents with the resources they need to survive.”

In alignment with this funding, the Rockford Housing Authority (RHA) has been granted $6,141,433 to embark on critical renovation and modernization projects within the Rockford community. These funds will enable the RHA to enhance the quality of public housing facilities, ensuring they meet contemporary standards of safety, comfort, and sustainability.

Laura Snyder, CEO of the Rockford Housing Authority, expressed gratitude for the funding and its potential impact on the community. “We are immensely grateful for the support provided by Senators Duckworth and Durbin and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This funding will allow us to undertake vital renovation and modernization projects that will not only improve the quality of housing but also enhance the overall well-being of our residents and the community at large.”

The allocation of $6,141,433 million underscores the commitment of federal lawmakers to address the pressing housing needs of the Rockford community, laying the groundwork for a more equitable and sustainable future.

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About Rockford Housing Authority (RHA)

The Rockford Housing Authority is committed to providing safe, decent, and affordable housing to low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. With a mission to create sustainable communities through partnerships and collaboration, RHA works tirelessly to enhance the quality of life for its residents and contribute to the overall vitality of the Rockford community. For more information, visit RHA’s website.

MEDIA RESOURCES:

For media inquiries or interview requests, please reach out to Angel Mackey at amackey@rockfordha.org or 815-489-8750.

About the Rockford Housing Authority

Our Mission

To continue to create strategic partnerships with community stakeholders, design a diverse housing portfolio, and leverage social service programming to unite and ensure residents are provided with safe and nurturing environments that lead to self-sufficiency, responsibility, and individual empowerment.

Our Vision

RHA provides pathways for people to enhance their quality of life through inclusive, affordable, and innovative housing initiatives while investing in the education, training, and personal development of our residents through strategic programming and partnerships while serving as a facilitator for neighborhood restoration by investing in our community and remaining committed to creating an atmosphere that promotes overall health, wellness, and economic growth, for a greater quality of life.

The Rockford Housing Authority (RHA) is a municipal corporation established under Chapter 67 1/2 of the Illinois statutes. It is governed by a Board of five (5) Commissioners. The Rockford Housing Authority has historically served the housing needs of persons whose income is low and very low in the City of Rockford through HUD funded public and Section 8 housing. The Agency was established in 1951, and has provided “decent, safe, and sanitary” low-income public housing to Rockford’s citizens for decades.

Bridge Rockford Alliance, Inc. (BRaI), 501(C)(3) HUD recognized instrumentality of RHA, was established by resolution of the RHA Board of Commissioners on March 9, 2011. BRAI extends the services and opportunities of a public housing agency. Instrumentalities allow the housing authority to operate more as private organizations and expand opportunities for residents of affordable housing, housing developments and the related supporting activities i.e. health and human services. This broader reach provides BRAI the authority to seek out and enter into new business relationships as a means to support its mission.

The Rockford Housing Authority, alongside Bridge Rockford Alliance, is in transition from a provider of decent safe and sanitary housing to the leading provider of housing that meets a higher community vision.