Evansville Housing Authority Receives $250,000 Safety-Security Grant

The Evansville Housing Authority (EHA) has received a $250,000 Emergency Safety and Security grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

EHA applied for the HUD funding in the wake of rising crime statistics and drug-related activity in Evansville. Chief of Police Billy Bolin offered a letter of support as part of the application, affirming “I am aware that the Evansville Housing Authority has already taken safety and security measures to counteract this increase in crime and drug activity, as have we as a police department, but the additional resources from HUD will help further reduce these crimes and drug issues.”

News of the grant award arrived as EHA kicked off the $18.2 million Phase 1 refurbishment of public housing apartments under a new HUD program known as RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration Project). Phase 1 improvements are expected to be completed by June 30, 2017. Projected completion date for the $13.5 million RAD Phase 2 improvements is late 2017.

Executive Director Rick Moore says, “The transition to RAD will provide the residents with renovated apartments and energy efficient appliances. In addition, the Emergency Safety and Security grant funds will be used to increase safety in our apartment communities and further EHA’s overall commitment to improving the quality of life for our residents.”

The Fulton Square and Caldwell Homes properties will be the first to receive the security upgrades, Moore noted.