NORTHAMPTON — Three municipalities in Hampshire County are slated to receive a total of over $350,000 in federal public housing funds as part of the coronavirus relief package passed by Congress in late March, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern announced Friday.
McGovern, D-Worcester, said in a statement that the increased funding from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be made available to public housing authorities through two grant programs funded by Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on March 27. The grant programs were brought to the House floor by McGovern for a vote in late March, the statement said.
Around $3.6 million in total was secured for the 2nd Congressional District, which McGovern represents. According to the statement, the legislation authorized emergency supplemental grants through both the HUD Operating Fund to maintain the operation of public housing, as well as Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, which funds the Housing Choice Voucher program. Both grants do not have to be paid back.
The Amherst Housing Authority received $99,577 in CARES Act awards, the Northampton Housing Authority received $247,207 and the Ware Housing Authority was awarded $11,942.
“The coronavirus pandemic is magnifying social and economic injustices in our community, and I’m glad that this federal funding will go toward vulnerable members of our community who need help,” McGovern said in the statement. “I’m proud Democrats transformed Mitch McConnell’s Fortune 500 bailout bill into something that puts workers and families first, but people are still struggling and they rightfully expect and demand that Congress will be there for them. I will keep fighting for more funding, emergency rental and mortgage assistance, and a nationwide stop on foreclosures until this crisis is over.”
In Franklin County, Greenfield’s public housing authority received $112,258 and the Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority was awarded $130,126. The Athol Housing Authority received $12,886.
Michael Connors can be reached at mconnors@gazettenet.com.