The Jefferson City Housing Authority received nearly $4,500 for security improvements Thursday.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the Housing Authority $4,493 for security improvements through its Capital Fund Emergency Safety and Security Program and Capital Fund Emergency and Disaster Program, according to a HUD news release.
The Capital Fund Emergency Safety and Security Program supports security and emergency alarm system improvements. This includes installing, repairing or replacing security systems, fencing, deadbolt locks and emergency alarm systems.
HUD originally gave the Housing Authority a $36,000 safety and security grant earlier this year to purchase and install a new security system, said Larry Vincent, Jefferson City Housing Authority Board of Commissioners chairman. The new $4,500 grant went toward purchasing additional cameras, he said.
The Capital Fund Emergency and Disaster Program goes toward addressing public housing residents' health and safety. The grant can be used to address "immediate health and safety threats to residents," according to the news release, and the projects must be completed within one year of funding.
"Families living in public housing should feel safe and secure in their homes," HUD Secretary Ben Carson said in the news release. "These important programs help communities maintain security features many people often take for granted like deadbolt locks, emergency alarms, and lighting systems, and eliminate health hazards in housing."
HUD gave $8 million in grants to eight public housing authorities. The other housing authorities are in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey and New York.
The Jefferson City Housing Authority also received a $8,443 grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation through the department's Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance program. The grant reimbursed the Housing Authority for the cost to purchase and plant trees on Dulle and Buena Vista streets last April.